White Dragon 2-1
A/n
Okay so I may have said in the ending author's note of chapter 12 that I wouldn't change much, but grammar and a couple of other things. I now have to eat my own words in this. I find myself changing more than just a few things. I find myself rewriting in quite a few places; changing for various reasons. Enjoy the story from me to you!
Chapter 1: Recounting time passed!
Oh Ancestors, how time flies by when you are involved in the things I get into! Yet I'm one who tries to live without regret; for with my bad luck stacked against me… well. Oh how does that phrase about life go? 'The truth is you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.' … that's the story of my life quite often. So back to the question of how someone like me who notices detail like I do, possibly lose track of time like I have lately? If someone else were in my shoes; then I would think they would have just as much trouble keeping track of time as I have. I mean, when you are fighting for your life, the life of your friends, whipping apes, etc. etc. … well you can do the figuring.
For all of those who have been here from the beginning of my recounting of my tale; you know just how mind blowing it has been thus far. Starting from the time I came to the Dragon Realm, there has always been something or someone that either demanded my attention or a problem that required me to be the fixer for! I could give more specific examples of what I'm talking about, but I feel I would be needlessly repeating myself. So, I'm apparently some kind of universal handy man for dragon kind; a marvelous ground breaking engineering hero to the moles. I don't know what to the cheetah tribe and I'm not sure if I want to know for some of them with mixed messages I get from them. So with all I've said and done, you would think my story as hit its peak and climax and so is done with all the excitement? HA HA HA HA, I can assure you that I'm not even halfway through this yet! I have yet to get to the largest climax in my story! And there are still other climatic events that occurred to me before my tale comes to a close, so many twists and turns to come!
Now then, back to my narrative where I left off last. As time is thought to be like a stream in a figurative manner, due to the fact it always flows forward and it keeps moving and flowing forward whether you want it to or not. Well… there have been many things that have changed for me and other stuff that hasn't, but such is the subject that's known as life. I guess that's what I'm trying to get across… I'm just getting philosophical as I do sometimes. It's a habit that I picked up from Master Kai; with as much time as I spent around the man, it just sort of rubbed off on me. Yet I digress, I was saying about how many things have happened and other things haven't changed… yes that's where I was. I have had little time to really look back and reflect on events of my somewhat recent past until now. I've being busy with life as it has become for me, which is rather different from the norm I'm accustom to.
Now that I'm finally able to look back on events, a great deal has happened since the battle of Warfang. A little over nine months have gone by since the apes' attack on the city. Let's see, with that in mind; from the time I got here… add the time I was in Warfang recovering and with both treks… that makes in total calculated time of me being in the dragon realm, approximately a year now I believe. Well, all I can think to say on that is what a jam packed year it has been for me! Before I had come to the dragon realm a year or so ago; I was revved up to learn more martial arts and kendo skills and that was it. That was the only real highlight of my future I had to look forward to when it came to having happiness in my life! You can say that is sad and it is, but with the life I have had I have learned to take the good things where I can get them.
Now my life has taken an entirely different path than I wouldn't have imagined possible; one that I would have said at one point is completely crazy and outright ludicrous! Although I assume you all know of what I have been doing; so I won't need to go into detail of my story of my adventures in the dragon realm previous to now. Again, I don't see reason to repeat myself at this time. At least up to the battle of Warfang that is; since that is where I left off in my tale. I still can't get my head around what I had experienced and I had been 'in the driver seat' the whole way!
Most of those I had met along the way could be divided into three separate categories of how I see them. The first would be friends; Spyro and the others like Cynder, Seth and everyone else in the group of my friends would fall into that classification. The second would be "acquaintances" or those I tolerate due to either their various faults or because I don't know them enough. The dragon guardians would be in this area and others like them. Then there is Sparx who is in a category of his own. Yet if I had to put him into one of the three it would be in the 'acquaintances' group simply because I haven't found a legitimate and justifiable reason to… have him disappear though he has gotten close, yes I will go with that for my reasoning. The last group would be enemies, this class is fairly self-explanatory; in other words, those who had tried to kill me like the silent killers and the apes.
For the friends I had made; it had been quite some explanation I had made to my before mentioned friends! Along with my fist group of friends meeting my second group of friends had been… interesting. I still remembered telling them the tale of my adventures to Spyro and everyone about my time away from them clearly as if it had happened yesterday. It had been a day after the battle of Warfang. I hadn't given the explanation the day of the battle for two reasons; I was hungry and was dead tired; so I took the time to eat and sleep. Sue me if you think that's unreasonable! For the record, I would win the argument, so better to shut up and listen to me tell this chronicle; it will do more if you do.
So anyways, I took the time to recover so that I could have my wits about me before I gave the tale of woe I had survived this time. When we had gotten together the next day, the group consisted of Spyro, Cynder, Seth and Cyra; as well as; Lara, Tarra, Fredrick and of course myself. So overall, there were my first friends and my more recently made friends meeting one another in person for lack of more fitting terms. All of them had a right to be involved in the discussion.
-Flashback-
We were all gathered in the room that belongs to Spyro and Cynder. The room was on the third floor of the temple. Apparently the second floor is for unbounded or those without mates to live in if they don't have a place in Warfang itself. It was the larger than our rooms so it worked out better to choose theirs. All of us were there in the room; my first four friends and my new trio of friends with me being the connection that bound them together. I suppose that means I get to act as a kind of mediator of sorts… yea! The problem is I'm not good with that type of thing; I'm what some might call a 'loner'… or would it be a bachelor when Lara was concerned? Anyway, that sums up much of my problem with relationships I suck with them! … Up till a little while ago at least. It can be better said as 'and then came Spyro' and he started the change I was going through. My meeting Spyro and been a life altering and changing event! Then things kept developing from there to what they are now.
I glanced over to Spyro noting that Cynder was next to him as support in more ways than one. I guess that means, during my absence the two of them had in whatever way dragon kind does; became mates officially. It kind of explains in why this is a different room than Spyro had before and that it is bigger. Due to "becoming a pair" the couple was given a larger room to accommodate the both of them. The room was pretty much a little bigger than two single rooms put together.
Speaking of the subject of Spyro and Cynder being together… I have nothing against it whatsoever; in fact I'm happy for them. I just have a few questions on some of the more specific details that moved events to this point. For instance how did Spyro "pop the question" to Cynder? I am dying to know! I have no idea how the subject of marriage works with the dragon race, but I doubt it is in the same way that the idea goes with humans. Humans make the subject of marriage and those related to it so much more complicated than it has to be! From what I understand and have learned from others here; when a dragon and dragoness become mates… they engage in doing it. That activity is supposed to symbolize both those involved dedication to one another. Honestly I really don't see myself getting into such things in the near future, but that's just me. My life is full of surprises I don't always see coming, so who knows?
Like I said before, I fully support Spyro and Cynder in this decision that they have made to 'finally tie the knot' with one another. They are my friends and more because I do back and support them one hundred percent. Spyro and Cynder are at the age that the can make big decisions on their own; so I say let them. I am just surprised that it took them so long to announce it to others! I wonder if dragons do "proposals" in any way that humans do. And if so how do they do the action traditionally? Well I guess it doesn't really matter all that much, just the result that counts in the end. It's about dang time and more power to them I say! They both appeared to be happier now that the decision of being together was made and out of the way.
We 'sat'… it is so odd to say 'sat' as that usually implies a chair being involved. Humanistic thinking I know, but it comes from being human for the length of time I have been. However, as dragons don't have such things or have the real need of them with haunches and all, well… yeah um. Where was I? Oh yes we were sitting in a kind of circle around the room. There was a bit of an awkward silence in the room as the dragons and dragonesses stared at each other. I know that both groups of my friends are meeting one another for the first time, but this is getting extremely uncomfortable for me being in the middle of it all!
Now to the seating order as it were; Spyro sat directly across from me. He looked a great deal better than he did earlier… or at least the last time I saw him before my stay with the apes and the events that followed. Now that we were closer friends from our time in Hyrule; I suppose that my presence could have something to do with that. Yet, were I to give an honest guess, I think it was Cynder sitting next to him, is what was really helping him the most.
Now that they had 'come out of the closet' about their totally obvious feelings and relationship; they weren't wasting time showing affection without thinking about those around them. I get that when you are a 'couple' and together; such a position comes with Liberties, perks and privileges. But there is such a thing a time and a place for that for the curtesy of others. Self-restraint is still very much a good thing in my view and should be excised regularly. They had already taken some of the liberties in that on the way here… *sigh* did they have to 'French' immediately when they see each other?! I mean I understand that Spyro and Cynder worry about one another and so they were happy that the other was okay, but… never mind, not my business!
There was one of the interesting facts to note to me at least. Now that I was a dragon I was slightly bigger than Spyro and he was the biggest of the whole group. I had about two inches more in height and three with length over Spyro. It was an interesting difference what twenty inches can make. As a human I would have to crane my neck a lot of the time to talk to dragons as they are taller than me, especially the adult ones and it caused a real pain in the neck, literally! I don't have to look up as much anymore as a dragon and I can look at Spyro in the eyes, which is awesome. Okay I know two inches is still two inches and a small distance technically speaking, but I still can look over Spyro now and that's great. I'm well aware, I shouldn't brag or insinuate that fact that towering over someone else, even if it is by a mere two inches; has a certain feeling of satisfaction with it, but I won't deny such a statement either.
Yet more than anything else I was happy to see him and be able to talk to him. Not only is Spyro a good friend now, he also listens when I need to talk and that was a mercy I had sorely missed over what I learned had been three weeks. The ability to get problems and everything that occurs to me off my shoulders had been absent. No, I shouldn't say ability, but rather the need to vent my pent up emotions had been evident and the reinforcement of the need to do so. A lesson I have had to learn over and over in the year of my life! It had come in the form of the couple of outbursts that had happened to me during my time away from Spyro and Seth! This is the sad fact that is the proof of the concept; I'm unable to keep my emotions bottled up for a long period, it is something I have no control over. As the idea goes, 'you don't know how valuable something is until you are denied it!'
Now on Spyro's right side and my left was Cynder, which should be no surprise. I have… I picked up I suppose you could say during the time I have been here in the Dragon Realm; that the dragoness mated to a male dragon tends to sit on the male's right as their default spot. It's a position of honor or something along those lines. In reality, in my view; where one sits shouldn't really matter, but to dragons and dragonesses it does. My guess as to the reason, it is mostly due to dragon kind is bound by tradition; even the ones that don't make complete sense, which is a lot of those traditions. Knowing this irks me a great deal; I hate traditions that don't make sense and the explanation that gave the reason had been lost. I mean, if the reason that a tradition goes away or changes; then the tradition needs to be changed to fit the new circumstance or just dropped altogether.
Yet, enough talk on tradition; Cynder look happier than I had seen her before. I don't think that most took notice that she had normally been down or sad; she hides it well I admit. However… her body language was saying a much different message than before. I believe on what I was seeing; it's not that body language can't lie, just usually doesn't. With dragons it doesn't as far as I seen it is similar to humans in this and so I will go with what her nonverbal communication is telling me. It might be due to her past history, something to do with Spyro or something else that I have no idea about. Cynder is the kind of dragoness that has a hard time letting things that she has done go, even if the actions weren't her fault. I have met people who are like that as well and it is… kind of hard to be around them; they tend to be rather depressing.
Cynder now, was far more relaxed than I have seen her since I had met her. I'm just hoping and praying that she is in the same mood by the end of my story telling as she is currently. Other than Spyro and Seth, then Lara during my time away from Warfang; know little if any portion of my visions or the extremely weird crap that happens to me as I haven't told them much at all. And there were still things that I haven't told certain things to the new trio yet! I don't see a reason to talk about such things normally and so I keep it to myself. That habit can get me into trouble occasionally and does. So I have a hunch that some of my friends might not be very happy that I have left out those details.
To Cynder's right was Fredrick; he was calm or at least that's what he appeared to look like as my glance fell on him. Only his face showed small signs that he was worried about something. Fredrick had proven to me he was rather good at acting older than he is. The problem for him in this is that Fredrick hasn't had to fool someone like myself who is incredible at reading body language. Such a skill has countless times, proven to me its value with the many races in the Dragon Realm as it is with human beings. The ones I have met may talk differently than one another and humans would be included in this, still thus far I have seen the body language is pretty much the same between the races and so is universal for me to read.
He is youngest out of all but one of us by about two years; Cyra is the only one that isn't two years older than him as she is a year younger than the rest of us in the group and Fredrick was a year younger than her. So it is interesting that he acts our age instead of his true age. I don't know if this was a sign of more maturity or just acting of sorts. It could very well be his way of fitting in to a group. I have seen dragons are no different than humans with social needs and so have their needs to belong to a group. And the group type that Fredrick chooses is the one that is like a melting pot, that's an interesting choice.
Tarra followed Fredrick in the circle as well as being on my left. She was still glancing around the circle nervously, which wasn't very surprising for her, knowing her personality. She is shy by nature and is much more nervous than any I had met previously. I imagine she was from my first impressions, due to something in her past if what I have heard is true. Trauma is hard to accept let alone deal with for any living being! Yet I have yet to hear the story of what happened to traumatize her so much in its entirety. But her shyness was increased exponentially because of the incident that much was clear to me. I had to give Tarra credit; she was doing very well being around others she doesn't know. I have observed how Tarra acts around others at various times while I was in Carona; both while I was with her and when I wasn't. She tried to draw the least amount of attention to herself as possible, plain and simply. Or that is what I would say, but… after watching her running and hiding and doing so at a speed that makes it look like Tarra herself had just disappeared, it is hard to call it simple. Still her crying 'eep' was quite cute, I can't deny that.
Even though I had told Lara, Fredrick and her about my friends back at Warfang; it was different now. They were now meeting in close quarters for the first time, which is quite different than being told about them. Thus, Tarra was sticking to what was familiar... or more familiar and so was staying close to me as a result of this. I think she gets a sense of comfort being around me, even if it was just the sight of me. Why that is… I can't be sure, though it was interesting as it was unexpected. First, I haven't had anyone really be like this around me before. Second, in the short time of around a week that we had met; Tarra and I had become fairly good friends, at least she seems like she is okay around me now. In fact we are getting closer as of late as friends or rather Tarra is making strides to do so. It was strange for me, because as I am blunt and sarcastic; I come off as cold and distant to most. That isn't necessarily true, though the sarcastic and blunt are. The point is that most tend to avoid me because of my attitude and mannerisms.
This developing relationship hadn't gone unnoticed by Lara; and she had become growingly annoyed for whatever reason; likely jealousy, were I to guess, but I hope not. If Lara acts on that jealousy... I feel and I highly doubt things would end well for any involved. What was even more stunning; Tarra was in contact with my left side in the form of pressing herself against me, and this is by her own initiative. This was the first time she had done so and that's fine by me; I just didn't think she had it in her at the moment. I hadn't expected her to do actions like this for a little while due to her shyness and being kind of skittish. I have to admit, her side is really warm. In the future that could get to be a factor to a catfight with Lara if I were to give a prediction, who knows how that will turn out. … Hmm I don't think I should have such thoughts at this time!
On my right... was Lara, predictably of course. She had pretty much staked out that particular spot for herself... as hers unofficially! I'd say unofficially as I haven't and don't plan to acknowledge Lara's infatuation of me! Doubtless Lara did this for the same reason that Cynder was on Spyro's right. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that appearances are how the right of… possessions is judge to dragon kind, in a way. Basically if it appears like a dragon or dragoness possesses something or has ownership of someone, then it is very likely that they do. It is almost to the point that, excuse the phrase; 'possession is nine tenths of the law' or something like that! I'm not comfortable with Lara thinking she owns me, but she could be doing action to prove her point and so I will tolerate her thinking much more than her actions of the idea. Then in this current conundrum I find myself in; I have less problems with her having the spot; for now at least, as long as it kept her from assaulting me! Giving her that spot to my right had calmed her down and that was a plus in my mental standing in the subject of sanity! And my sanity had come into being severely questionable since turning back into a dragon. The voices in my head just make it hard for me to keep things in their proper perspective!
She was trying to control the urges that came from being in heat still, as it is hard to miss for me. Her body language is practically screaming at me that she wanted to jump on me; straddle my nether regions and mate right here and now. The repercussions would go to hell for all she cared! If Lara were to do that I don't think she would be thinking about, be worried or seriously have a care in hell for that matter that it would be in the full view of my friends! However… I would care as that's just beyond socially embarrassing and more horrifying than anything I have done yet! I'm what most would consider a gentleman and one who has a code of chivalry. Doing that kind of activity in front of others would be terrible enough; doing that in front of those who are my friends, just let me die and let it be over! As Lara was for the rare occasions since I have known her, holding herself back and I'm glad she can! Lara had shown good self-control by not hanging on and over me constantly, to which I am GRATEFUL for! I like her as a friend, but that is for now how I would prefer it to stay.
The difficulty for me is… I have heard that a dragoness's heat cycle can last anywhere from two, to three weeks. Lara reached day fourteen today if I calculated correctly. If this is affected by my luck in any way, shape or form, then she will have a three week cycle… that's just PEACHY! So, what is the problem in this you might ask? My complain in this, comes from the flare up of my libido, which has been clearly making its presence known to my mind. Yes, I have a sex drive like all healthy males do; that's something I'm normal in and have in common with all other guys. I just ignore my libido to the extent that an average person would question if I have a drive like that. When it comes to my libido, I take the stance of don't even let it have a chance to do anything! So I have kept it down and quiet, since the time of hell that is technically called puberty.
As I was saying, my issue is that though she may not be hanging over me, she was pressing herself against my right side and it isn't for a sense of comfort. No, the way she was pressing up against me, said she was laying claim on me and being possessive of yours truly. All the while Lara was sending covert glances at Tarra that said for her to pack off without Lara actually saying that out loud. This only reinforced the point of her being possessive of me. With the poisonous looks of that Lara is sending the future catfight wouldn't be all that long in coming. I just don't want to be between the two of them when the said catfight starts! It would be ugly; I could tell right now!
Cyra was on the right of Lara and her gaze was going between Lara and Tarra. She had an expression of curiosity as her gaze kept switching between the two dragonesses. I don't know if she knows or can guess why Lara and Tarra were acting the way they were. Whether it was Lara trying to 'get me in the sack' or that her chasing me in the aim to catch me and having her way with me. Or if I were to go with what Tarra is doing and how she had been making strides to become closer to me, in her own way. I don't know which one of the two dragonesses was worse. I couldn't tell at all if Cyra understood what was going on.
I'm not dense in the 'how' people act, though I don't always understand the 'why' the people do what they do. So I could see the developing problem I was now wedged in. These two dragonesses were fighting over me and this would keep going until it was settled completely. I doubt I would get a say in this problem in anyway; just have to suffer the effects of it. I have seen Cyra can be able to see and understand how to read a situation somewhat. Whether she did see or was just wondering what I had been dealing with, I really don't know. Even if she did, it was unlikely she could help me. I have a hunch I will be completely on my own for this. That is how things normally go for me.
Seth was next to Cyra and on Spyro's left side my right as well as the last in the circle. Like Spyro, I was happy to be able to talk to Seth because he and Spyro were ones I could talk to about anything. In short Seth and Spyro were two I could vent to and know they would listen to me while I did so. That in itself is a rather rare quality for anyone to have; still Seth is one of those who do. They are the first close friends that I have had that are close to being more than just good friends and more like Koren had been with me. I felt more at ease around Spyro and Seth, which is pretty rare for me. I avoid being noticed by others more often than not. You have avoid unnecessary problems by doing so; that's how I have lived my life up till now.
I haven't been able to afford to drop my guard if I want to live a somewhat peaceful life. That's due to me being not what one might call the most social guy, life of the party or a good people person! … No scratch that, I'm an outcast to society and most of those I was around and didn't associate with would call me a freak and a weirdo. So… I don't really know very well how to interact with others. Plus I had noticed that during the time I HADN'T been with them... things had been a truly horrible living Hell in ways that I hadn't experienced in years! I'm just surprised that he… well never mind.
Somehow in a way I had no freaking idea how to explain logically or by any other means, my bad luck is unavoidable and it striking me can't be affected by other forces. It has proven these two facts to me or it would be more accurate to say it has shoved them in my face and rubbed them in while laughing with glee. I have never been able to explain how my bad luck really works, I just can't deny that my luck does what it does and performs it well! Spyro and Seth somehow counteracted my horrendously bad luck; that had also become a proven fact as it happened multiple times, more than enough to say the effect wasn't a fluke. Confusing as this conundrum is; all I need to know is that it works and I WANT that more often! I don't care if I can't explain why them being around me somehow lessens my bad luck hitting me; I just want that effect more, DANG IT!
The atmosphere in the room was rather tense and it kind of bugged me, but I ignored that point. After taking in the atmosphere of all of those in the room I focused back on Spyro. He had locked his eyes with mine and I took that as a sign to begin my story. The question now was where I should begin in this most recent tour of hell I had been force to endure!
"Well let's see; where to begin in this?"
"How about what happened back at Hyrule after you left the record archive."
I thought for a moment on what to say for them on the experience that had followed after Hyrule. I had no more lingering doubts that I could trust all of the dragons and dragonesses in this room to believe me, yet I can't say to what extent. I can count on the point, no matter what I may say or mention; they won't judge me based upon any of it... much if at all. Knowing this doesn't make things a whole lot easier to speak about the array problems I had been required to deal with for the last three weeks. I was still having trouble accepting some of the events that had occurred. I took a deep breath and began with the vision I had under the tree.
"So you had another vision then?"
I nodded at Spyro before I answered.
"Yes indeed, it would be the fourth one so far."
I felt the others minus Spyro, Seth and Lara looking at me with surprise and a little anger. I had figured that for everyone except Spyro, Seth and Lara wouldn't be very pleased that I haven't told them about certain things. … Actually there is a lot of things I haven't told them, but I'm a very private person and so don't share things with others. I do partially blame my uncle for me developing my difficulty of connecting to others, but I still can't pin it completely on him, it is my own fault somewhat.
However, back to my dilemma I was having with my friends. Apparently by what I understand, having visions alone are highly regarded among the dragon race. Vision are so important in their culture that for those who have them, it's expected that they talk about them… openly… no less. I don't agree with such a view point in the slightest; it is an infringement upon my rights and freedoms as an individual. Although, I have seen that in the dragon realm and among the dragon kind, such freedoms and rights aren't denied, but nor are they used by anyone. So it is more accepted routine and common expectation for you to be open. In my opinion, on the other hand… um paw as was the case for me right now; disagree with such sentiments and traditions. It's up to the one who had the vision to decide that; individual rights and freedoms all the way!
Yes, this comes from likely me living as a human for most of my life. Dragons as a species I have discovered are far more trusting and aren't as secretive as I have observed thus far. The human race isn't a trusting one and that is for good reason as there are many who lie and most humans keep secrets from one another. So I don't talk about the things about myself or that happen to me naturally to anyone else. I would rather not be locked up in a 'nut house'! And if it were up to human opinion to judge my condition, they would throw me into a padded cell and throw away the key! Anyways, I still don't know the whole meaning of the visions I have seen yet! Adding the fact that I have had not one, but four visions; I was bound to receive some dirty glances for this.
"Wait you are saying that you can have visions?!"
This exclamation came from Fredrick. By what I would guess, Arkanis is the only other in Carona… actually the only other one I know other than Spyro and then there is myself that could have visions. I would surmise that the capacity to see visions is quite uncommon. Yeah for being 'special' or sticking out from others.
"You h-have had more than one?"
That was Tarra; I hadn't expected her to pitch into this conversation this early… and not at double her normal volume. However, I guess having visions is again rare enough that it would be surprising. Heck if I know why I have had these visions; it's not like I asked to have them! I didn't want them!
"Why didn't you say anything about having not just one vision, but multiple visions to us?!"
This came from Cynder and with a bit of a snap. That caused me to get a tad annoyed. What do they think I am? Some kind of fine-tuned receiving oracle that picks up the weird and freaky! My friends are asking for more information; I get and respect that. However, they were asking questions that I didn't have the answers to and then they weren't giving me time or the opportunity to answer them. I was quickly growing frustrated; I defused it by letting calm patience flow through me. I knew that this explanation with my friends would be a long and tiring one before it had started. I may feel that talking about the visions I have should be up to me, yet I know others will disagree completely with me on this view. But these were my friends and I needed to be understanding and extend the same opportunity to them.
My intuition tells me that some, if not most likely all of my friends wouldn't appreciate that I hadn't told them of the things that were happening to me. It is habitual for me to keep what happens to me to myself normally; no one has really ever cared about what happens to me. However, that is how I am and grew up as in the human world. In other words; nobody sees, nobody knows and nobody asks, I don't tell! I may have opened up to Spyro and Seth, yet I haven't done so to Cynder and Cyra. Although in my defense, I haven't really had the time to really do so yet; the same is true for my new friends as well. I have told Lara most of what has happened… just not the full details yet. Nevertheless, I have said little to Fredrick and Tarra of much of the things that had happened to me. Even though I knew this was coming; the awareness didn't make this any simpler to handle.
"Well I… I had meant to eventually… I just…"
I really meant to tell my friends in time. Still I hadn't had the time yet and I have other issues that I'm dealing with currently that take priority. I'm making excuses and they aren't helping me…
"Just what?"
Fredrick had spoken the inquiry. Well, I don't know where to start on this particular subject. There are many reasons why I don't talk about many things to others; in fact you could say the number of reasons is vast, at least more than I have the desire to count. One of the bigger ones would be I have trust issues badly! I have trouble when it comes to talking to others about my difficulties and challenges. It is something that has developed and enforced in my life throughout the years. This was becoming awkward for all of us, though mostly for me. Once again, I doubt that dragons would be able to comprehend the social behaviors or how society works for humans; it's very different and that's putting it mildly! I have had fourteen years of being in human society and it has taken a heavy toll on me having been labeled as someone different than the average person or more the outcast and freak.
"I have…"
I would state for the record that not a single person or any living sentient being for that matter, likes to admit their faults and shortcomings. After all, when was the last time you were around someone that will say one of the faults like it was nothing? No one does that kind of thing, and yet apparently in this realm it is almost expected that you don't keep secrets. Yet, putting that aside for the moment, I am not different in this instinctual preference and action. To avoid bring up or saying anything about one's own faults is a natural thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect! I am nowhere near that state or position!
I will confess I have faults and shortcomings; but if they don't come up, then I see no reason to talk about them. Still here and now, I'm… forced to see that the human social nuances are nonexistent. That's probably why; a lot of these things are just expected to be discussed. It is possible if human beings did discuss things like this, human society would be vastly different then it is now. However, such philosophical queries are to be answered later. In short, with how my life has gone; I'm good at dealing with others around me, but I have never really learned how to be friends with them. I have never acquired the skills needed to be friends with people for a long period of time. It had started with my uncle, continued with my so called peers of my age groups and kept going with the 'responsible adults' around me. When most are going to either ignore you or make life horrible; your legal guardian abuses you often without any other knowing. Then drastic measures are required if you are to survive long!
Due to that situation I had been in, I had developed a type of coping mechanism that had swiftly become an ironclad habit in my mannerisms. Most of what branded me as 'different' came from the odd quirks that I had. I have only said anything about the voices twice and know not to do so if I value my freedom and health. Granted… Shae had warned me not to tell anyone, but I had ignored him and paid the price. Now I know why to a better extent where those quirks come from, but I hadn't a clue most of the time while I was growing up!
It was these things that became an unfortunate problematic circumstance for me that got me labeled figuratively speaking. And humans don't deal well with those that are different… more like they drive you out or try to get rid of you. That comes from humans fearing what they don't understand and they attack what they fear. I remember the second time I mentioned that there were voices in my mind other than my own. I won't get into the first… time I shared; I don't like getting into that experience. Back to the second time, it had happened when I had gone to a counselor lady for sessions at the school for a time because of being required to go as a consequence from the fights I got into from time to time. She had been nice… at first. She had tried to make me comfortable and convince me to open up. After a time of her doing so, I finally relented as she had been different than the other adults I am often around. Oh boy, did I regret doing so! They thought I was seriously schizophrenic, which is wrong! I'm not schizophrenic! I am of a sound mind and sane! Why would anyone think otherwise? With the abuse and the rest of what happens to me; it's amazing I'm still sane, considering what I have had to endure! The voices in my mind aren't mine and they are real as another person is.
So I stopped even mentioning or bringing the subjects of the voices or anything that would present me as different up at all. I curtailed and conformed all of my visible outward actions to not draw attention or notice to me, becoming somewhat like a doll of sorts. There is just the… price of doing that; I now have difficulty opening up to others and getting close in any relationship. I constantly kept my guard up and wouldn't show any of the emotions that I felt from all the things that happen to me. Such had worked in my favor to help me survive, but it was in essence a double edged sword, because it had also stunted my abilities in social interaction.
"I have a hard time opening up to others! Okay! I always have! And the three times I have opened up to another; one ended up telling others I was crazy, I do not want to even get into what happened with the other one that had a bad reaction and then there is Master Kai! Everyone else around me either, ignored and avoided me or they shunned and abused me! So cut me a little slack please."
It was true; Master Kai had been the only one who had given me the time or surprisingly believed me. It had happened after one of the fights I had with my uncle and had the many marks to prove what he did. Master Kai had sat there and had listened to me after I had vented my feelings about my uncle. It was why I went to him to get things off my chest. He was the only one who knew that I wasn't crazy or anything of the sort with the things I told him. I have even told him about the voices in my head and it didn't faze him or at least he didn't show it in front of me. Granted I have far more voices now than I did before, but that didn't change much of the issue really, just makes it harder to deal with. Since I had gotten here I have wondered if he could have known the voices in my head could have been something more than my imagination as others would have had me thought. Even Shae's voice in my mind made me wonder, could he be a dragon that had come and gone already? I don't know if Shae is even his real name… I know very little now that I take the time to consider it.
"That's in the past Saber, you have us now and we are here for you."
I glanced over to Spyro. That's easy for him to say; not so much for me. Spyro makes letting things go sound so easy, and maybe with that mindset it is. Yet, I don't have such a mindset; I learn from experience and so the past is in that way a teacher to me. Still once again, I was amazed at Spyro's action; he was unlike any I had met before, with the one exception of Master Kai. I wish once again that I had met Spyro far earlier than I had; it would have made so much of a difference in my life. It could have been much brighter than it was now… well anyways; the past is done and can't be changed. I hung my head lower in slight shame. I may have done what I had to survive; still that didn't mean I was proud of what I had done to make it through the crap my life had thrown at me.
"Yeah, it is easy to say that; but much harder to do it. I… I am sorry. It is a habit that has formed over the years of my life. I guess it is due to that; I am usually alone. I do not do well around others when it comes to relationships. I really never learned how to make or maintain a strong relationship with others as I was normally shunned."
There was an awkward silence in the air to my reply. I cleared my throat trying to dispel the awkwardness and get the attention off the current subject and back to the previous one. I did this by continuing my tale of woe that some might dub my adventure. I mentioned that the vision took place in the same cityscape that the previous ones had and gave a short description of the cityscape itself. When I had gone through my explorations of the city with some details; I came to finding the scene of the three dragons frolicking and playing. I kept my gaze forward, not looking at Lara; since the purple dragonet I had seen was her when she was younger. I can't say if she picked up on this point, but I wasn't willing to ask right now.
When I got to my meeting with Koren, I got mixed looks from everyone. Tarra and Fredrick looked curiously at me, I assumed wanting to know more. They must have heard the name from either Lara or Arkanis. Both of them would know of Koren, Lara was our friend and Arkanis had been teaching us the basics of harnessing the elements before… Koren died and I left the Dragon Realm. Cynder and Cyra looked confused and lost by my descriptions. Spyro and Seth looked surprised as well as confused. Cynder was the first to speak.
"I have never seen or heard of a white dragon until seeing you like you are now Saber."
Well I couldn't say I didn't see where Cynder was coming from. Until I was changed into a white dragon or rather was turned back into one, I hadn't seen a white dragon or heard of the idea either. At least while I was awake that is; only in the third and fourth visions or dreams had I had even a glimpse of one. Yet through the memories I have been seeing, I have begun to get an overview and a general idea as to the reasons why no one has seen white dragons. Pretty much all of them were killed, the majority by dragons and other creatures of the realm; yet there were some that were killed by creatures that… well I didn't understand what they had been killed by, just that death had occurred. So by their deaths, they disappear along with any who knew them or remember them. The results of this of course end out being that no one ever knew of the existence of white dragons. It can be summed up in two words, 'history manipulation'.
Nevertheless there were other factors that were against white dragons that were natural. First white dragons are rare by themselves, much like purple dragons. It's just a little more so; because every time the ten generation mark passes a purple dragon or dragoness is hatched; there is a chance that a white dragon or dragoness will be hatched. It isn't a guarantee that one will be hatched, yet the possibility does exist. That is how the fact stood until this current generation as there had been two white dragons, Koren and myself. But, it could as easily be a random happenstance; who knows? Second point of interest, if I'm any kind of an example of what white dragons can do; then we are very freaking powerful baby! A power house to be sure and on par if not out doing purple dragons.
Even with those two points about white dragons, to still have no information on us? I admit it is possible for that to occur, but it is unlikely. I mean, normally rarity promote remembrance rather than forgetfulness. But, from what I have heard and seen; the idea of the matter is white dragons don't and never have existed or that is accepted fact. Which brings me back to my original suspicion; this is due mostly to manipulated circumstance. At least that's what I have come to believe with all the facts that I had seen and heard. It is the best explanation that can account for what I know and suspect. Cyra was the next to pipe up on the subject.
"You must be the first in history!"
I closed my eyes and felt my head fall slightly at hearing this. If only they knew the truth; how wrong they were?! In fact, this view alone only further proved my belief. Their assumptions were based on falsities that others had gone to great lengths to make sure were believed were seen as truth. I don't know the reasons that any would go that far to hide what was the truth, but I could only guess it was some fact or idea about white dragons, which some didn't want to be known. So I didn't blame them for not knowing of white dragons. History was against them and that's hard to go against!
The reaction of others around me other than my friends that I had seen kept adding truth to my growing theory. Most looked at me with either confusion or curiosity at the color of my scales as white naturally was unheard of. I had found out through the memories of others… likely to which the voices I kept hearing once belonged; there had been others! In fact there were implications in two different memories thus far; that there had been at one time, a great number of white dragons. Nonetheless I really couldn't say if that was true or not at the moment, they were vague and hazy due to the great length of time that had passed since the events, which the two memories came from as they were from times long ago. How long I really couldn't say very accurately.
The experiences I had seen and felt from the memories were more a testament to my point that a group had manipulated events and recorded history to erase the knowledge of white dragons all together. That was the reasons that we haven't been seen or recorded… are white dragons don't tend not to live long because others kill them while they're young. The fact that such occurrences haven't been written down is unfortunately proof that those in power were likely some who were involved in killing said white dragons. I still can't see the reasons why they would wish to kill us; it didn't make sense to me at all. What is it about white dragons that incense hatred and cause such fear in others that it would drive them to kill others? Yet like humans; dragons had given into their feelings of hatred and fear thus causing them to do things that they would normally not do. … Nevertheless, I feel like I'm missing something that should be obvious, but I can't say what or why.
"Saber are you feeling okay?"
I snapped out of my current tangent of thoughts I had been on. I set a forced smile on my face before looking over to Seth nodding. I wasn't ready to get into that particular 'can of worms' that the memories produced and implied to me. I have done enough damage to the system by which things run with dragons for the moment. If I were to talk about the lies and secrets that draconic history is built upon to get the simple picture that the current peace was made. Well from what I now knew… let's just say there would be huge repercussions just to begin with and it would be all speeding downhill from there. I see no need to make the draconic system of running things collapse… yet that is! I was still trying to understand and accept the meanings from them anyways.
"I am good, just… well never mind it is something for a later time."
"So there was another white dragon there and Asreyel was nowhere to be found?"
That came from Spyro; I nodded and I went into the details as I remembered them from the encounter. I told them how the white dragon that met me, said the three dragons I was seeing were just illusions that were showing a memory of the past. The pain that I now was realizing was myself trying to remember or reconnect to my past recollection that were still there, yet I was unable to retrieve the memories until recently. So I was just left with feelings of déjà vu. The feelings were even stronger when I saw Koren clearly for the first time after leaving the Dragon Realm. In other words my heart still remembered those I had known in the Dragon realm, but my mind couldn't recall due to the connections not being there anymore. I said I would go into what the conversation I had with Koren was about later in this story.
"It makes more sense now than it did back at that time, but like I said I will get into that later."
I then spoke about waking up and hearing the sounds of an ape attack and shortly saw apes rushing at me. I had of course tried to defend myself. Yet having been hit hard in the back of my head; it presents a difficulty in fighting back, with the loss of consciousness.
"Looking back I would guess that the monkey Exis hit the back of my head with her staff; it hurt like nothing most would believe. I thought she had fractured my skull with that hit!"
I went over the time period that I had later found out had been two weeks; where I had been forced to stay with the apes. I took in the looks of horror as I mentioned some of the things that had happened to me while I was there. Admittedly the apes had been none too nice to me, though that's a given as they hate me as much as I detest them and want me dead, preferably by their hands. The first sharp intake of breath came when I went into my first encounter with the 'ape king', though none in my audience asked questions about the encounter. I had thought they would; I mean the 'ape king' was female for goodness sake! Well, I heard much louder gasps when I recounted the night I got stabbed by knife an ape had while I had been fighting for my life against the hordes of apes.
"Are you sure you are okay after that?!"
That worried question came from Cyra and the others excluding Lara who I had told about this experience to an extent already; had looks of worry. I gave the best comforting gesture I could, but the truth is I was stabbed and that's never a good thing to happen to anyone. Lara still had an expression of worry on her face, yet there was also an underlying feel of anger from her. I had told her about getting hurt, but I hadn't said it was a stab, so I had stretched the truth… okay it was almost a lie! Something tells me that Lara wasn't pleased that I had said what I did and now that she knew what had really happened. I feel that I will have to pay a price for doing that to her. I just hope that price doesn't turn out to be hell that I pay.
"I wondered for a bit; but as you can see, I am okay now. It was terrible back at that time though. Those apes know so little about healing. I really had to wing it more than I usually do."
I got the explanation look from everyone in the circle. Once again I wonder how dragons get along without; slang, inference and using a common language. Granted there are advantages to not having multiple languages, but you miss out on the many ways you can imply and say the same idea or phrase and get across so much more meaning and understanding.
"The expression 'to wing it' is a slang inference that means to improvise in the given situation. It is another word for adaptation."
The others got the general idea from my explanation; I think they did at least. I can't always tell if my friends understand the explanations I give, since dragons don't seem to get or comprehend human references and nuances. Tarra was the next to speak.
"W-what did you do?"
Wow what an audience I have to regale my hellish adventures I had recently to! They are hanging on my words and waiting on my next sentences. Back to the matter at… paw; it would seem Tarra is getting more comfortable with Spyro, Cynder, Seth and Cyra. That's good, though it could be that since she is next to me and has been getting closer to me on a friendship level. My continuing presence could also be the reason she is doing better. Lara was glaring daggers at me, I could feel her doing so without looking at her, due to what I said she now knew I had been not telling her the whole truth; that my injuries hadn't been that serious when I had chatted with her before. Well I have a feeling I would pay for lying later; Crappers I hate how often I'm right! This isn't going to end well, Oh Freaking Fiddlesticks!
"Um… Thankfully I had acquired some… materials to help my plight on the way while I was being carried to the 'cell' they put me in. I was amazed just how dumb AND blind the apes can be."
I gave them the simple details of 'sewing' myself up. I felt the pressure from Lara pressing up against me increase part way through the description, Tarra's contact increased as well, though nowhere near as much as Lara's. I finally lost my battle to resist looking at Lara, since I was nervous with what look I would get from her. I steeled myself before I stole a look over at Lara; I knew she would be… none too pleased with me.
Oh did I ever have to assert extreme firm mental control so that I didn't flinch in fear of the implications at the expression on her face. I knew that she wouldn't be happy for me keeping the truth from her and that's totally justified. I don't deny that it was totally and utterly wrong of me to… lie in a fashion, to Lara about the seriousness of my injuries. She had every right to be mad at me; I understand that… but… does she have to give a face that screams 'the punishment that you will receive later will make time in the lower tiers of hell feel like a vacation resort!' Why do I attract the females that seem to enjoy making my life so utterly miserable that it would make the devil himself shed a tear of joy at watching the things these females put me through?! Most of the rest in the circle looked like I had said something completely insane.
"You sewed yourself up?!"
That question came from Spyro and he hadn't shouted that, but it had been close. I focused my sight on him to read his face. Hey, you can get a great deal more from body language most of the time, than the hole that most call a mouth, plus it tends to be more truthful. Spyro was worried yes, but there was more than that. Granted they probably wouldn't understand that humans have come up with simple, yet effective methods to increase chances of a full and successful recovery from injuries, which can range from minor to critical. Said methods can be considered brutal and painful; still if it works and keeps you alive, there isn't much room to complain. The results are what is remembered most and in the end what matters.
"Spyro… you may not understand, but nonetheless humans have come up with ways to heal one another that work even if they are not the nicest or most pleasant of methods. The goal of healing of course being that the one being healed lives…"
I explained that in the case and point of 'Sewing' up a person like you would fabric is a good example. There are wounds people can get that are serious enough that difficulty in proper healing to occur on its own and the results tend not to be best. That's if you can risk a serious injury to heal by itself; most critical wounds you can't. Then there is the factor of time; the injury could get infected and get worse or you could lose more blood that you can afford to. And so if you can help the recovery process along by closing the wound and keeping it closed and stop the bleeding; so much the better.
"… And such action helps the chance the body's full and successful recovery. So in the end, it works out for the better as you are still alive."
I got confused nods of… partial understanding from all in my audience. I went on with the story with my escape from the apes. I mentioned the amusing instances of how my bad luck reversed and struck the apes, where said luck would normally hit me! I'm still surprised to border on shock and amazement about this! I am still trying to figure out how that worked the way it did; so that maybe I could contrive for such events to happen again! Imagine… being able to aim my bad luck at things and creatures! Now that would truly be one of the darkest kinds of magic; one to be reckoned with… Ah the possibilities would be endless! Anyways after escaping the valley with the apes I of course bumped into Lara, Fredrick and Tarra. I stopped in telling my tale when I caught the look of curiosity on the faces of my first friends. Spyro was the one to speak his thoughts first. I couldn't figure out what they were curious about.
"I did not know there was another dragon city."
I stopped myself from doing a pratfall at that statement from Spyro. … Is that really what they are wondering out of all the things they could wonder about?! I would've thought Spyro would have asked about Lara being a purple dragoness since purple dragons and dragonesses are so rare, but that is just me. What would I know? My first friends gave the accented agreement to Spyro's question. It would seem I will have to rethink my expectation on questions when it comes to dragons, for I'm really off it seems. Though I was pretty surprised myself actually at the time, for there to be a large city on the edge of ape controlled territory.
I would hope they don't think that I had any idea that Carona existed. Granted, that is where I lived as a dragon or more specifically a dragonet, but I didn't remember that until less than a week ago that was true. I know it is an amazing revelation that I am a dragon from the start, though even I'm shocked by the knowledge I had learned in the last two weeks. I'm really starting to wonder; do they think I am somehow somewhat omnipotent?! That's just not true nor would I ever want to be!
"Trust me; it was shocking to me as well."
I described the layout of the city to an extent, yet I was keeping it simple. After that, I got into my meeting Arkanis and some of the interesting events that followed. My first impressions of Arkanis I noted to everyone were that he reminded me of Master Kai. I didn't discuss the interesting discovery of him being one of Malefor's teachers as that wasn't my business nor for me to tell others. I gave a quick, though professional explanation of the… well, I guess you can call it a conversation of sorts. Following the said conversation; Lara departed after I had metaphorically given her, a hard slap to the face that had shattered her world as she knew it. I mentioned how I had spent most of the day chasing her down and apologizing to her.
I had no real wish or interest on sharing the chat that Lara and I had that night when I had found her. In my view and opinion; it was private conversation and so isn't for others to hear or know about but Lara and myself. I really don't want to talk about what she did at the end of our chat to anyone here. It feels like I would be admitting that Lara likes me and I do feel something for her… I just can't say what feeling at the moment. I don't know how everyone else would react. I do not, I repeat; I do NOT know nor do I want to know how they would react to her kissing me right now! I glanced over at Lara and by the softening look on her face she obviously agreed with my view on this. I hope that means she will take it easier on me later!
I paused for about a minute before I kept going with this story. I was about to take the plunge into when Lara chased me for the majority of a day and into the early evening. I had yet to really indicate or imply Lara was interested in me in having a romantic relationship. Though with her sticking so close to me you could say she is glued to me. With the place that she taken for herself; it should be rather clear that she does feel that way, even though I have clearly stated my view. I'm not interested in such a committed relationship at this time; period, simple as that. I'm not oblivious to what Lara is feeling for me; I may appear like I do, but that is me giving Lara, 'I'm not interested' message silently. However, as a friend; I don't wish to make her look like a lust crazed pervert, even if that's what she is like when she is in heat.
I want to tell the truth, yet I don't want to put Lara in a bad light per say, which the effort and work she put in to chasing and hunting me down would do just that. I have no clue how the subject of perversion is seen by dragons; for humans it's very bad and is more than simply frowned down upon! The difference between humans and dragons in this subject matter is as Arkanis put it 'increased cycles of fertility'. The dragon race has set mating seasons; the human species don't have them, though some people may act like they do. I have seen what it meant for a dragoness goes into heat actually means. It is scary to see and experience!
… Think about if human females had times they acted like that… it is a VERY scary thought! Were human females to have mating seasons and go into heat… Just imagine what things would be like if that were the case… *shudder*! If human females were to go into heat from time to time, we males would be an endangered species for many reasons! Yes, I wouldn't doubt that some males would like girls chasing them and jumping their bones. They would be the first to die out of us males! The smarter guys like myself, would come up with ways to avoid the ladies during their craze, still I fear in the end we too would be fated to fall before the females. Yet back to the point, I very much doubt that she is so clingy and possessive all the time… let me rephrase, it is more I believe and more hope that it's due to being in heat!
The chase proved to me, in a cut and dry kind of idea that Lara could be seen in such a way I didn't want to put her! It was clear that Lara had feelings of… love; I think is what one would call it. I… don't feel that feeling… she is my friend and that's good for me right now. I have learned some facts about what is involved in "mating seasons" from others, mostly dragons rather than dragonesses. From what I have seen it is similar to someone that's drunk; not in the way of alcohol drunk. However, there are some of the same symptoms, like loss of clear judgement and less inhibitions.
So I don't know how much the "heat" affects a dragoness, but I know it does affect them. So the question I need to answer is what do I say about the activity? I can't just say anything or nothing about it! Still I have no clue if such an event is common or expected from a dragoness or if Lara is just an extremely persistent dragoness instead! I mean, she had hunted me down and had tried to rape me! If I hadn't used that trick I had learned from my experience with Sarana, I would have been screwed… literally! What could I say?! Still now that I reviewed this… event I recalled a promise I had made to myself. I turned to Spyro.
"Um… Spyro, I need to apologize to you."
Spyro looked at me confused.
"Apologize? About what?"
I smiled slightly in sadness.
"Well you remember about how on our trip to Warfang, you were… having an issue that you came to me for advice?"
He thought for a full thirty seconds, before he suddenly got a look of comprehension followed by a sight blush.
"Yes I remember, but why are you apologizing?"
I sighed before I answered.
"I am apologizing because I had no idea what I was talking about or saying at that time. I now understand what you were going through back at that time. I am so sorry for what I said!"
Yes I had now realized that Cynder had very likely been in heat at that time. And she had no doubt been after Spyro during that time. The advice I had given Spyro back then… well now sounded extremely STUPID! My experience with Lara had taught me the folly of my advice back then! I wouldn't want to be given the same advice, yet I had almost been forced to eat my own words. My advice is more along the lines of a punishment nearly to the point of a life sentence! I guess I should explain as to why I just said all of that.
Well… I might as well be honest about the point on this. I took a deep steadying breath and began to give a picture of what that day had been like for me! I went with the plain facts and only those facts! It didn't paint a great picture of Lara in view of the event, but said view was from the bottom; those involved are often bias in many ways! So I can't help the perspective that I had! I jumped right in starting at coming face to face with Lara outside the temple. I didn't go into all that much of the finer detail of how Lara pursuing me went down, just the major pieces of note.
I didn't miss the other dragonesses' reactions to my tale. Tarra just had a sad smile on her face for me, which I did appreciate. I would guess she had put together what Lara had attempted to do to me that day. Cyra's breathing was irregular now; I assume from her trying not to laugh at the scene I was painting them. I'm thankful that at least she was trying to be nice to me. Cynder… well… let's just say I will have some VERY choice words for her later when I am done with this tale. She was snickering and would be laughing if Spyro wasn't glaring at her. As before I swear that my bad luck is used not only to make my life a truly horrible living hell on a regular basis; it's also used for entertainment purposes for others! Curse, reverse divine interventions and blasphemous occurrences! Yes I am talking to you God and you Satan; give me a break! This idea that my life should be some sort of show for you two and others is really sucking right now!
When I mentioned that I had used the shadow element to get away from Lara, all went silent. I have been gaining access to the elements before now granted, yet my friends here in Warfang until today couldn't figure out why. Though even with me being a dragon, that doesn't fully explain the reasons; as I was human when this started. Even I don't know why I can do many of the things I can. No one asked any questions on the finer details yet, which surprised me as I had mention a lot of strange things. I did say that I could 'phase' into shadows, which got some shocked looks from the others. It took some explaining to help my friends understand what I meant when I said 'phase' into shadows. When I had helped them get the meaning, their looks of surprise and confusion remained on their faces. That kind of answered my question I had wondered about earlier; could dragons phase into shadows? Apparently dragons don't have the ability to phase through shadows; either that or they don't understand what I'm telling them. That is entirely possible; the reactions I was getting could imply such things.
But anyway back to the story. I recounted the rest of the chase, which was pretty precise and simple. The chase had ended in the forest and fairly quickly at that as I had the advantage in that terrain. In them woods, sense of smell became less of an advantage as there is more to cover one's scent with. Because of that fact, hiding was much more doable! Okay what really happened was I found me some plants that had a different odor to them and rubbed them on myself to block my own scent. The other reason I had an advantage them woods was the trees are so thick here so flying isn't an option. When it comes to climbing, Humans will win over dragon kind most of the time, so go me! Though, to Lara's credit; she did search for me diligently, can't deny that. Still in the end I managed to evade her in the end.
I hesitated once more in my telling. I was about to get into the singular event that changed everything for me! That one experience had shattered almost all of what I knew as the truth or what I thought was solid fact! One, I had been turned into a dragon, which now feels natural to me, interestingly enough. Two, I had always been a dragon by birth and had started in the Dragon Realm. These two ideas are just a few of the things that were breaking many of my perceptions of life. I mean those two facts explained many reasons I never felt that I truly belonged with the one exception of the dojo. Yet how does one explain such an event when you can't come up with the words to describe it?
First major key piece of the event, 'the voices' themselves were an entirely different matter from the things that I had learned since then. The first time I had heard them in the glade had pushed me to the very brink of sanity! I still hear some of them pretty much constantly and they keep up a running commentary. They switch occasionally, but there is an ongoing whispering in the back of my mind. Most of the commentary I pick up is fine, although it doesn't always makes sense; as most of the voices aren't something I see as a problem with what they say. Though there are a few I worry about like I do the… dark voice in my head. I have listened to some that are really disheartening and others who are much more upbeat. I have for quite some time heard voices… I think sometime in my earlier teenage years started to hear whispers that no one else did. Most of them are likely going to go along the same principles as the ones that have whispered occasionally. I still believe that the voices belong to the owners of the memories that are now 'swimming around' in my head as well. I can't confirm that, yet I still swear that's the case. That alone is scary as well as amazing!
"… That night after I lost Lara… I found myself in the forest and was about to go back to Carona… when I was… called, I suppose you can say."
All in the circle had blank faces at my statement. I went into the situation as I remembered it; an experience like that one is something I couldn't forget! Who could forget disembodied voices speaking… no calling you? I mean I certainly don't regret following those voices nor was I against the results that came from the event. Being a dragon is wonderful and awesome! I can't say I liked or appreciate the means to get the outcome that had happened. Through this I had felt the worst pain I have ever gone through in my life! That is saying something when you take into account the horrible things that others did to me throughout my life.
"So you heard voices and went after them?!"
I looked over to Spyro who had asked this; his tone was plainly implying a more… personal question to me. That being along the line of the question being reformed as follows: 'So you heard voices, listened to them and then defied your normally logical mindset by going after them; are you CRAZY?!' I wouldn't disagree with the question. I had asked myself the same before I had followed those who had been calling me. If it hadn't been for me hearing Koren's voice; I doubt I would have gone to the glade at all.
"I would be lying if I said I did not have the same kind of argument of logic over my actions on the idea."
I continued at the point of where I came to the clearing or glade. I described the scene I came into, which as I did paint the stage, the maws of all in the circle dropped farther as I kept going. I can't blame them with what I am telling them. This sounds like a story you would expect to hear from a certified mental case patient! I mean, I was talking about how I saw and heard countless numbers of voices that came from orbs and they were speaking in a collective voice to me. Then when you add to that fact those voices somehow seemed to know me could you blame them for being confused? I certainly couldn't fault them on their reactions. If I hadn't seen and heard them I wouldn't believe this story!
I went into the facts that these 'voices' told me. I mentioned how as they spoke I would feel pain in my head and that the said pain got worse as this event went on. I asked the question that had been answered in the most unexpected way I could have ever imagined. I didn't say anything about how I had the thought of all of my time in the Dragon Realm being a divine joke of some sort. I don't think that would go over well with everyone here if they understood the idea at all! I still have little knowledge of what dragons do or know in the area and subject of religion. I don't think it is the best time to ask right now.
I kept going with my tale with the reply from those voices that shattered my understanding of life as I knew it. The fact that I had been born or hatched as I was a dragon, in the Dragon Realm and I had started out that way from the beginning. Then when you add how I had been sent away from here to earth to protect my own life from being ended. I didn't know what to think about this all and it involved me the most! So I didn't really expect that anyone here would be able to guess any better than I had tried. I still was trying to figure out the reasons that things had happened the way they had in my times of pondering. I know it was to protect me and save my life, but still it was so confusing. If such a revelation wasn't enough to send me reeling and break down what I thought I knew, then the next mind blowing statement certainly did!
"Now you have returned. You will soon be needed to defend the dragon realm from the ancient enemy's return!"
I have brooded on the line over and over for the possible meanings and implications to it. The times I had the opportunity to think on the subject since I had heard it; well, didn't give any real clear answers. I still have no real idea or clue what it refers to completely. The literal meaning of the phrase is fairly easy to see; there will be the need to defend the Dragon Realm against a force that will be coming, but I feel there is more to it. Still, I have no problem or anything against defending the realm, if that's what it comes to. I'll fight with my friends to defend their home and... I guess my home as well, though for some reason I still feel a little out of place here in the Dragon Realm at this moment. Nevertheless, I don't know who or what this ancient enemy even is and I don't know where to start looking for information on them! But, I feel that I should know this ancient enemy somehow, like they are something I have heard of or know instinctually; at least I get a strong feeling of unease when I think about this 'ancient enemy'.
By this point, pretty much everyone's maws had hit the floor after the things I said, figuratively speaking that is. In my defense what can I say for myself to make things any clearer; 'I am a magnet to all things weird and freaky'? It is usually the more inconceivable and strange, the more likely it will happen to me! Murphy made his law for people like me! That's my bad luck in a type of nutshell to put it as accurate as I can with the words I know! Surprisingly Lara out of all still had use of her voice.
"Saber… what were those orbs?"
I had seen the question coming when I got to this part of my tale. I had my theory on what they were, though I have my reservations on the subject of the supernatural, less so now than I did before coming back to the Dragon Realm. So, how to answer this question? …I can't just say that the orbs were spirits or ghosts! Even if that what's they were! I would be going against some of my most firm and closely held beliefs I had! It would take a huge amount of things would have to happen to force me to do that, likely a near death experience or something akin to that! I shrugged in answer. What, by the circles of hell is to say my guess is correct? Well as I see this, best to go with a wonderful policy when you forced to answer a question that you don't want to answer…
"My guess is as good as everyone else's. I really do not know."
… Answer in the vaguest way possible! No, it isn't lying to them! Like I said who is to say what I think is the right answer? Returning to the story, where my transformation had started. Recalling the pain, even in the first half of this experience was terrible; talking about it was slightly worse. A glance around the circle told me that Spyro and Seth were the only ones whose maws weren't still trying to sink at the moment. The reason that was the case or at least my guess to it was that this was similar to the third vision and so I have told Spyro and Seth something similar. I tried to reassure them, not that it did much for them in the way I did it, stupidly I might add.
"I thankfully have a tolerance to pain, but it does not mean I do not feel it."
Thinking about the line that I just spouted; it isn't really that reassuring. I'm still really new to this opening up thing and being able to confide in others. I had learned and have ingrained the habit, not to open up to others long ago; suddenly doing a complete one eighty was really difficult. I went on about how I was getting an overview of my changed appearance. I gave a brief summary of the change since I see no reason for much detail as my appearance is fairly self-explanatory as I'm sitting in front of them and they can see the results. I then continued to the second and worse half of the experience, it being the worse of the two parts of the event.
My voice fell in volume as I began the second part of what happened at the lake. I dreaded remembering this event, yet I can't forget it. When you're reminded of such an experience by reliving the memories that made up the images when you go to sleep, you can't forget! The agony is forever burned into my brain! I thought none of my friends' maws could sink lower, that didn't stop them from trying! I attempted to tell them all as accurately as I could what the voices would say, but the problem is I couldn't recall what they were saying to me anymore. There had just been too many voices shouting at the same time, walking over one another and each one saying different things. The storm of pandemonium in my mind that the voices had created at the time hadn't been coherent to me really. Then multiple that numbers, yelling and screaming all the while; disabled me of the ability of cognitive thought.
The voices were only part of the torture I was forcibly drug through! Like I had learned time after time, things can ALWAYS become worse somehow! Enter nonsensible and random images! That's when the storm of woe and turmoil descended into the free-for-all, all-you-can-eat café of torture and misery! I sot... keyword 'sot', the words to describe how my body, mind and even my soul had struggled for my living well-being. My senses had been struggling to work for me, but due to being overstimulated from all the input that was being forcefully dumped on them; they couldn't help me. Because of that case of 'cause and effect'; it was unsurprising that my senses came to a screeching halt from their predicament.
So ask yourself, can I be blamed that I couldn't talk about any of the pictures that flashed in front of my eyes?! No I can't! I can't remember any of them specifically anymore! I just get a flash of memory when the images come up in the nightmares I have. However, it is fair to say that I did mention that the images just would flash before my vision and then a second or two later there would be another in its place. The images would flash in front of my eyes or maybe in my mind; honestly, to me at the time I couldn't tell if there was any real difference which way I had seen them. It was the best way I could think of to describe what had been happening.
Now, I don't doubt my audience thought I had hit rock bottom by this point in my tale; not so as I wasn't done. The speed of the images appearing surging into my mind along with the voices screaming at me; they increased in volume as they screaming at me in my head. The torment only got worse and worse and there was no end in sight for me at that point. I paused at that moment; thinking of how to go on.
How do you tell anyone who hasn't experienced this kind of thing at this magnitude; how it feels?! The memories had been on every subject imaginable; good and bad! Yet the ones I took notice out of them the most were the painful and horrible memories. It wasn't by choice that I noticed those kinds of memories more than the others; they just for some reason screamed for my attention louder than the other memories. Perhaps, it is because I can understand them a bit better with the kind of life I have had. There aren't words that can help one understand the crushing feeling of all the memories that were being force into my mind. It had literally felt like an indescribable weight was on top of me, crushing me down!
But wait, there's more! If that pain racking feeling on raw nerves wasn't enough; combine the reactions of the voices to some of the pictures! And don't forget the point that reaction somehow cranks the level of agony up even more! Whatever the problem those voices had with the images; it only added to my difficulties with the situation. I have more than enough problems dealing with my own set of difficulties; without having to see and be drowned by the problems of others! It's a wonder and miracle that I was still sane in any way the whole time through this! I wouldn't wish such an experience as I had gone through on anyone not even my worst enemy! No, not even Sparx, though I do hate him so!
As I kept going by saying how the images came faster and the voices became louder. Okay, as firm and unyielding my mental control is and can be; it has its limits and can be overwhelmed! I can attest that when people compare chaos to a tempest tossed sea, they aren't joking! My voice was still low and my eyes had shut since I didn't have the heart to look at the faces of the dragons and dragonesses here at the moment. I didn't stop though and told my friends just how close I got to losing my mind and sanity from this event. When I got to the point I opened my maw and tried to scream or make any sound from the absolute agonizing pain that was coursing through me; I had been unable to even whimper. My body had been racked with unimaginable and indescribable anguish to the point my normal bodily functions were locking up. The pangs of woe had come so close to drowning me in the memories and losing myself entirely in their flow; mind, body and my soul. Even in this state; the memories kept coming without any end in sight!
This was a memory I wanted desperately to forget, yet that was impossible to do with this! My gasp that had been my silent harrowing scream had proven that I would be haunted by this till the day I die. This one event had gotten closer to destroying my psyche or soul, whichever you wish to call it; than any other life event! The howl I had finally been able to release was still unlike anything I thought I could produce. However, it was the testament to what this happening had done to me. I did say how I wanted the crazy experience to end; still I left out that I would even have welcomed death if it would have ended it! Not that I don't think anyone can blame me, I had seen horrors and atrocities that make the events that cause post-traumatic stress syndrome look like happy events instead of a horrible experience! Nevertheless, I don't think my friends would take it well if I basically said I had wished to die in order to be released. After I said that I let out one more roar and then blacked out I slowly opened my eyes. I had finished recounting the horrible experience; I took a moment to read the faces of everyone here. Let me tell you, it was mixed in ways I hadn't expected!
Spyro's expression was one of shock of what had happened to me and pity for the suffering that had followed. The shock was completely understandable; this calamity was unlike anything he had probably heard. I remember when Spyro told me his adventure story; he had shocked me at parts of it as well. My escapades had been… different and so I shouldn't compare our lives' events as that would be unfair to both of us. I would be shocked myself were I in his position… alas I'm not in that standing and unlikely will ever be. The pity was again something I could see the reason for; one feels for a friend that has gone through pain and wish to comfort them. I had known that Spyro wouldn't ever judge me for the loads of weird crap that occurs to me. That's one of the main reasons I'm glad he is my friend.
Cynder's face was a mixture of worry and curiosity. Worry is obviously from the description of the pain I had been in. What I had described isn't something you hear often… well, I would bet one wouldn't hear of such in a lifetime really, but you get my meaning! Curiosity was unexpected to me; be that as it may, it could be on the voices and images. I don't have a clue if that's so or if it is on how I still had my sanity in working order after my trek. The former Terror of the Skies she may be, yet she is a dragoness first, rather than an 'evil' adult dragoness in my mind! Cynder had once told me that during her time under Malefor's control; she could still think for herself, but it was much skewed. The dark master had enslaved her mind and could speak to her without being near her. So she could understand a voice in your head that isn't yours. She could understand what it can feel like to have someone or something whispering thoughts you wouldn't have normally in your head. It is and feels so wrong in ways that words can't express!
Fredrick had his maw opened slightly just staring at me. I mean I remember the two times I had shocked him like this; the first was my story in the first meeting with Arkanis. The other was when we met when I had become a dragon. But we had known each other for such a little time; it is unlikely that he would understand that weird things happen to and around me no matter where I am or the circumstance. He had heard me out and listened to my story when I had told Arkanis; this telling was far more detailed to the same story. The additional details make a vast difference in a tale in its entirety. Still we had become quick friends over the last week or so and hopefully would remain friends in the future.
Tarra's face was even more unexpected to me than the three previous! There was sorrow combined with pity which I expected; but those two emotions were alongside with a look of awe?! She was feeling sorry for me. I would think most that would believe my story after hearing my tale would feel that way, if they believed me that is. I was taken aback at her being in awe of what I had said. I still didn't know what kind of traumatic situation she has been forced to live through. However, I would surmise that my experience I had just recounted to them was worse than what she had gone through.
Granted I have a strong constitution and will and those two have saved me and kept my sanity in one piece through many hard times. Yet this event had really slammed both into an indestructible wall to fully test them and how much they could endure! So she was to my figuring probably in awe of me surviving such things. This was the first time I have received a response like that! Most people who have ever learn of my… problems and draw for the causes of them; think I'm crazy. That I should be admitted to a mental institution as quickly as possible and locked into a padded cell and left there for the rest of my life! They would say for my safety, what they mean is it's for their safety more than mine.
My gaze flicked over to Lara on my right. Lara had heard bits of this tale before when we had our 'chat' a few nights before the battle of Warfang. I doubted she had been fully listening to me at the time. The lust glazed eyes give the impression she was busy staring at me and having… other thoughts running through her mind. This recounting she had listened completely and with her full attention. She seemed to be thinking about something; of what, I have no idea and I'm not sure I want to know if she's thinking about what she has been lately right now! Lara was also rubbing my side, which is something I had recently come to be unwillingly familiar with over the last week. However, unlike the times previous, she didn't do the action to incite passion and lust, but to comfort. This is the first time I can remember that she was doing something for me that wasn't for enticing me to give into her temptations.
Yes she had been the one who had decided that I was okay and to take me to Carona. However, she had been, for majority of the time I had been around her; trying her hardest to… how to put it nicely? Um well… Oh screw it! Lara had been doing what she could to get me into the sack, slip into my bed or get me into hers! I doubt it would have mattered which bed would be used or if one was used at all! She wanted me, even if she'd had to drag me kicking and screaming the whole way to get what she wanted. I wouldn't have put it past her to try to drag me to her bed! In fact I am kind of surprised she hasn't; maybe her self-control is better than I gave her credit for? She had chased me down with the intent to rape me and she had gotten really close to doing such things to me. She took advantage of a situation that she, herself had technically caused! I could say this in many different ways, though I don't think I needed to go on to get my point across.
Cyra for one of the few times that I could recall was quiet and melancholy. Normally she would be trying to cheer me up with her various ways that she does; at least that was what I had thought she would do for me. She always had a childlike attitude and optimistic outlook. Yet she wasn't smiling and she was VERY melancholy. It was odd to me and it was a rather nerve racking thing. Actually, it was more than a little freaky to me to see her like this! I'm so used to the cheerful and upbeat Cyra; this new one is starting to be extremely uncomfortable and awkward to be around. I was looking forward to having the cheerful dragoness around me to help lighten the mood; however I doubt I would have that for a little while.
Seth like Spyro had an expression of worry and pity set on his face; most likely for similar if not for the same reasons. Still, What Seth was thinking about was something that I could only guess at. I know that Seth had come along from how he was when we first met; nonetheless I could see he had done a good deal more maturing while I had been absent. This makes me wonder what had I missed while I was gone?! If I go by the last few times I was unable in some way to be around him I missed some epic things.
An example of what I mean of 'missing something epic'; I still would have loved to see Spectra verbally abuse Terrador! Maybe I could contrive for something to happen so that she would do so again? That would require me to goad Terrador… um; you know what that's a really dumb idea at the moment! As much of a tempting tangent that one is I won't give into it! The risks verses the out coming benefits just are a tad too unbalanced and leaning to the risk end. Back to Seth, I can't blame him for such reactions as I am still reeling from the situation. It is hard to live through such things, talking about them is even more difficult.
It is nice to have such friends that are beside you when you are at one of your low points and this one was the worst I have ever been at. I honestly haven't had anyone that would do that for me that I could remember. So, comforting either didn't come or it fell to me to find a way to bring it for myself. I had friends back at the dojo; they were just not the kind that I could open up to. Master Kai is one who would listen to me and everything. Still he was more a father like figure, not a friend! He is the only reason I haven't found a way to 'bump off' my uncle for all the things he did to me over the years! Trust me, I had been sorely tempted to… listen to the voice in my head I really don't; when I had bad fights with my uncle. He wouldn't have lived very long if I had.
So, this was all new to me; it had been such a long time since I had true friends like this! Koren had been the last real genuine friend I had and that had been years ago when I was a child. So, I haven't done things like this because I had stopped opening up to others; in short I had doomed myself to being alone. However, now I was doing the things that I thought I would never ever do with anyone. I was doing my best to hold back the tears that were forming in my eyes. I would not break down here, if I could prevent myself from doing so! Spyro cleared his throat.
"I am sure there was a reason for that to happen."
I turned to him. Okay I can see many reasons and benefits for being positive. But, in times like this I have a very hard time looking on the bright side of things! Torture is something that there is little if any bright side to! Like I have said before, I have my limitations in things; optimistic thinking is no exception! I am an optimist, not a masochist!
"Well should you ever come up with one, let me know. I still can't figure out any and I have tried."
I resumed where I had left off at the point when I had regained consciousness. I started with giving a brief summary of my state, which had been bad, though it was improving! That had been contributed from recent events. My condition was taken before I had fully remembered and processed what had happened. I told them as I had been reviewing what had happened to me that I had found there were now memories that weren't mine. Oh boy did I get a reaction from that one fact!
"Hold on! You are saying that you have memories that are not things you have experienced?!"
That came from Seth. This was another question I had expected in particular when I came to this part. It's confusing to hear of this and even more so when you are the one that has the memories that aren't yours. It had taken some time to accept that somehow memories that were foreign to me were now present in my brain. The feeling of recalling an experience that was from another was unimaginable, but now that I'm going through the idea, it is just weird. Then when you recall it from the first person position, it is unsettling in certain instances. There had been those that had been helpful to be sure. Such as the time I was learning to harness the elements as a dragon; that would be a good example of the good way in this position.
"Yes indeedly; that is what seems to have occurred. It is rather weird, but it is the truth. The thing that is odder still is that even though I have these memories that are not mine; I understand the experience as if I have lived through it. In some cases that can be… um… unsettling."
I got some weird looks with that explanation; to which I shrugged. It's not like I asked for this! I'm really freaked out by this too. Think about it for a bit; I'm a guy so it's mind boggling to remember certain situations that a guy wouldn't likely go through! One type of example of this would be experiencing an occurrence that's obviously from a memory of a dragoness! How would I know that perspective? Easily summed up in a simple yet absolutely true phrase for me; having a dragon come onto you in the romantic way is just plain wrong! Nonetheless, I have gone through that more than once already. It just gets freakier the more that you go through and all the while you experience the romantic feelings for the dragon that the dragoness had back then! It makes me increasingly glad I'm NOT gay! The more things I see in the memories, the weirder it can get. … I also have been getting the feeling that some of the older memories… at least what I can see as I can't see the complete picture, were somehow familiar. I can't say why though and it is nagging at me from the back of my mind!
Anyway, I got into my attempts of walking and my difficulties with the task. I had thought that since I could crawl, logically speaking I should be able to walk on all fours; simple logic right? Yeah, I had found out that such logic is that of an ignorant idiot within seconds after thinking it! I painted the scene that had changed since I had entered the glade. The glade had done a complete one eighty from what it had been like before. I talked about my frustration of not knowing what to do, as I hate being idol! I got a few smiles at my descriptions of my failed tries at walking and by that I mean my falls and face plants. Although, the face planting thing is nothing really that new for me so…
I was starting to honestly be glad that Sparx wasn't here to hear this! How might I know he isn't here?! That's easy; I have yet to hear any comments that show the level of stupidity that idiot has obtained! Then there is his… natural absurdly plummeting idiocy! That's very self-explanatory! It is wonderful not to have to listen to such things for the time being. He would have a field day with this material; I would never hear the end of it! That is a horrible thought in and of itself; I don't need that to become reality!
I continued by telling about my improved hearing and smelling that was displayed by me noticing the approaching dragons and dragonesses. I noted the incredible senses that I found dragons have that I had vastly underestimated; to which I got chuckles in response. I didn't mention that I had naturally picked out Lara's scent out of all the rest of the group. I skipped over that little fact and went on to how the group had found me shortly after I heard and smelled them. Yes, I now know it had been Lara whose scent had been… pleasant to my nose. She has a nice scent I will admit; I can't figure out why. But I won't be saying that out loud, especially not even to her!
I mentioned that Fredrick, Tarra and Lara had been in the group that had encountered me. I chuckled slightly as I told the others about their reactions when they found out I was the dragon they had found. I mean come on, Lara fainted… FAINTED for the ancestor's sakes! … What the?! Why am I starting to talk like those around me?! Maybe it is an effect of the voices or it is just how my brain is wired as a dragon; who knows? Anyways, Lara fainted which was to me hilarious! I guess that could be most likely summed up in a phrase; 'With my good looks women fall before me' ha ha ha ha. What I didn't mention was while I was having these kinds of humorous thoughts; I was brought back to reality by a single worrying thought! That had come in the form of imagining what Lara would do to me now that I was her ideal mate as a dragon! Oh how right I had been back then!
Telling the dragons that had found me that I was the source of the howls was okay though I left out the reasons as to why I had, I saw no need to go through the reasons since I had already told my friends here the event that had caused me to howl like I had. When I got to the point of where we had gotten back to Carona. I tried my best to describe how Lara had reacted to seeing me when she woke up, yet it is kind of hard to explain. I understand that Lara and I know each other from our childhood… dragonethood… whatever you want to call it. Still I have gaps in my memory even now… quite a few actually. I would imagine those gaps will eventually be filled at some point, can't say when. So I don't fully understand the relationship we had back then. That said her tackling me that had been followed by her sobbing between my left shoulder and neck; it was and still kind of is awkward, especially with Lara having chased me almost all day.
Then when I was asked by Fredrick why Lara was doing what she was! I think I was justified in being a tad angry. Come on, I know little about girls or females in general; let alone how relationships with them work! So what by the frozen winds of hell's ninth circle; makes him think I would even have a clue as to why Lara was crying into the crook of my neck! Tarra had attempted to help me… well she tried and failed, it is the thought that counted right? Yet Tarra did a face plant instead, the poor dragoness and the luck she has and I would know what that luck can do. Lara through all of that had still yet to listen to anything that I had said, but she hadn't done so all day anyways so that was no surprise.
I went into sparse detail about getting out of Lara's embrace. I kept my mouth shut on my opinion of how a girl crying to get their way is so unfair, since that is how things tend to go I have found. It's useless to complain about such things; little if anything changes when you do. Arkanis for my sake back at that time and few shreds of sanity remaining to me; came to my rescue and stopped Lara from going further than having her paws on me again. I talked about helping Tarra up and she mumbled about how nice I had been to her. That earned her a short glare from Lara and as quickly as it had appeared it was wiped away from her face. Why was there friction between Lara and Tarra? Um, oh yeah... me, never mind. I kept going on about how we went into our rooms in the temple.
Well after going through the situation with Lara, I got into the next… 'hard part' of my tale. I continued by saying I really didn't sleep when I had laid on the bed. I didn't mention the reason for me not getting sleep was because of the nightmares of me reliving my recent experience that would plague me over and over. I went into being 'called' or pulled to going somewhere I didn't have a clue about. I slipped out of the temple unnoticed by anyone and found myself heading to the ruins. Cyra took that moment to speak.
"There are ruins in Carona?"
Fredrick was the one to answer her.
"Yes, they are the ruins from early on in the war with Malefor when he destroyed almost all of Carona."
Tarra to my surprise was the next to speak up.
"Most o-of us are told n-not to enter the ruins, t-they are dang-gerous; that i-is what Arkanis s-says."
The others shook their heads with disbelief; I could understand why the adult dragons would say that the ruins would be dangerous. However this Q&A session was triggering one of my pet peeves! This pet peeve of mine was as annoying to me as others talking about me when I'm right there as if I wasn't. The peeve is being interrupted when I am telling about an experience that others have asked to hear. Yet, I was patiently waiting for my turn to keep going with my story. I must show that I have well developed manners and wait patiently for my turn even if it isn't easy; when Lara got into this.
"Actually I heard a story about the ruins."
Am I not supposed to be the one telling the story?! … Calm down, there is no reason to get upset about this. Humor her for the moment, it may improve her mood. Oh boy, I may regret this later, but anyway this should be… I don't know whether to say interesting or boring. I could go either way at this time. Lara told her story about how years ago there had been some kind of mysterious accident in the ruins. I politely listened to her though I really wasn't paying much attention. What does this have to do with anything right now anyway?! In this incident, dragons had been trapped by some kind of monsters. This was sounding like your typical fairytale kind of story; the ones that some kind of evil monster is attacking the hero or group and the 'hero' somehow overcomes the evil. As I listen to Lara's story I was becoming extremely bored and my mind started to wonder as it does when I give it nothing to do.
Currently I had started to run through what had happened to me and Koren before he had died. I was trying to think of a nicer way to deliver the event, but was having little success. It is hard to soften the blow of the death of a dear friend, more so when they are one of the only two dear friends you have. I was still listening to the story that Lara was still telling be it halfheartedly. When particular facts of what she was talking about began to pop out to me; my mind sharpened its attention. The story that she was telling was beginning to sound familiar in a fashion. I started to see correlations between the stories I was listening to and the event I had been going over in my head. There were way too many similarities to be a coincidence and the number was increasing as I continued to listen!
The questions I had asked myself earlier of how history was manipulated so no one would know became clear in a flash of understanding. I contained my shock and horror, but they quickly turned to rage and animosity as I realized the truth and that was much harder to keep others from seeing. The story Lara was telling wasn't just similar to what had occurred to Koren and me before I was sent away from the Dragon Realm. It was an account of the same event! I had been wrong in the assumption that records of white dragons didn't exist. They did, just not in the form I had thought or expected. The records of white dragons were in the form of the stories like the one I was currently listening to.
It was the explanation given to cover up what really happened! The major difference between the story and the truth was that the so called 'monsters' were white dragons like myself and Koren! The wrongly named 'heroic' dragons were the ones that were trying to kill me and had killed Koren! If that wasn't insulting enough; those same dragons that would kill innocent dragonets were raised on a pedestal for these 'acts of bravery' which in reality were murder! So that meant the event that happened that night had been recorded in a way, just in a way that warped the truth of the event to a stinking load of CRAP! The true purpose of these 'heroes', of course had been to kill me and Koren and I still don't know WHY?!
It was taking most of my self-control not to snap and make my rage vocal! I wanted to screech of how this story was a horrible lie; to deny the fabrication I was hearing that was told to deceive everyone else of what the real intention had been. This was all to cover up the murder of Koren and the attempt on me! And they were praised for it! How dare they! I wouldn't let it stand! No I would make sure the truth came to light, if it is the last thing I do!
When Lara got to saying that the 'monster' had given its final roar that signal its defeat; I snapped. That was the final straw! Draconic tradition can go crashing to a blazing hell for all I care! I won't let Koren's final moments be remembered as 'a monster defeated'! I could not and cannot let Koren's final act of saving my life be tarnished by lies! I couldn't stay quiet any more after hearing this lie! This was just wrong and the horrible stabbing pain in my heart left me with not even a shred of doubt that this was wrong! I had meant to just say it in a normal tone, yet after hearing the last line of the story I could do nothing but bellow out my outrage!
"That story is all a lie! That is NOT what happened!"
There was silence and all eyes were on me now. It was time to correct history to what's the real truth and not the tailored story that was told! I went on with the truth; that the story was nothing more than a big fat lie to glorify killing Koren and trying to bump me off as well.
"That story is a lie! The so called monsters and heroic dragons are only called that to cover up the truth!"
I was angry! No, I was livid with fury at hearing such a story! It made the pain of losing Koren hurt more than my own near death does. He had died to save me! Yet this story made him appear a monster and I wouldn't have it! He was a hero, a dear and cherished friend and I will correct anyone who says otherwise; alive or dead! Spyro was the one to respond to me.
"Saber calm down. What do you mean the story is a lie? If the monsters and heroic dragons were something else we know; why hide the truth of what they are like you say the story does?"
I took a deep shuttering breath. They wouldn't know or understand the wrongs that this story and I wouldn't doubt others were told to cover up the crimes committed! My first assumptions that the dragon race was completely different had just been proven wrong; they were more like human beings than I thought. I hate to say it was clear now how the ones in power had made sure that white dragons never were known to exist. As the saying goes, 'history is written by the victor and not the defeated' and so was true in this as well. It was likely that not only dragons were involved in doing this, but I don't know who else to pin the responsibility to at the moment. History had been manipulated to say that white dragons like myself, were nothing but a myth at most and if at all possible the knowledge of white dragons were sent to oblivion! They had labeled us as 'monster' instead to justify getting rid of us. We 'monsters' were slain by 'heroes' which were the very ones that labeled us evil monsters; so simple yet so WRONG! Those 'heroes' are the evil monsters far more than we were!
"Spyro the reason that these 'monsters' appear every now and then is to make sure no one knows what they really were. Others makeup stories like this one to justify themselves!"
I was having a really hard time keeping my anger under control! Lara was the next to ask me a question.
"What are you talking about?"
My anger vanished for a moment as I took in what Lara had said. I stared at Lara with incredulity. I know she isn't as shallow as to be so ignorant to think Koren and I simply vanished into thin air! She had to wonder and question what had happened to us when we didn't come around after that night. I wonder now what she was told about the disappearance of Koren and me. Most likely she was lied to, but what would she have believed? I might as well ask then.
"… Lara what were you told when you asked about Koren and me?!"
Lara looked downcast. By the look on her face, she had definitely asked about us; though what she had been told had hurt, if the expression on her face right now was saying anything. What possible lie could she have been fed to her to drop the subject of her two best friends? She took a deep breath before she replied.
"The elders said you had gotten sick and died."
… What kind of lame a** excuse is that?! That's the excuse those murdering fear-bound idiots use to get rid of their guilt of what they did! That's A LOAD OF DRAGON DUNG! Hearing this set alight my anger anew and only further fueled my rage and fury. Lara wasn't to blame; it was those who had lied to her that were at fault! Could a single person blame me for getting like this? No, no one can! This wasn't just insulting; this was plain evil in what is close to its purest form!
"How lame can one get?! That is how they cover up what they did!"
I was back to bellowing. Everyone looked at me in shock and utter confusion. Unfortunately I had by now, been partially blinded by my fury and rage over learning the whole truth. It took me a couple minutes to calm down enough to regain a modicum of my previously firm composure. Then after gathering and organizing my thoughts, before I spoke in a shaky voice that anger was still evident in.
"One of those so called 'monsters' is in reality sitting right here in this room. Or if you want to be blunter; I am one of those that are labeled as a 'monster'! That is what some call white dragons; it is also used as an excuse for others to kill us! Is that plain enough for everyone here to understand?!"
The horrific silence continued on at my statement. I took another moment to regain my composure completely and then sighed. I was hard pressed to keep even a partial lid on my emotions that were coursing through me right now. I was enraged; first of course about others trying to kill me. Second was that those who had tried to kill me and had ended Koren's life had gotten away with it and paid no consequences whatsoever! But what was irking me so much was that I really didn't know the reason why Koren and I were assaulted to begin with! Granted the overall reason is that I'm a white dragon, still that's not really a valid reason, just a crappy excuse! To have the sole reason of having a vendetta against someone, be that they are what they are is sheer evil at its worst! I can't change what I was born as or that I was born! The sadder thing in this is that I was by no means the first to suffer this fate for the basic same reasons and identical excuse being used.
"I am sorry; I should not bellow. It is just that I am not the first for 'this' kind of story to occur to. Most of the said monsters that come around during those ten generations would fit under such a category as I do."
I went through what happened that night; it was the short version, but it got the point across. When I told them about nailing the blue dragon with the beam of light from my maw, all were in awe. I admit I was proud of what I had accomplished, even if I don't remember how I pulled it off. I will find out at some point how to do that again and then; oh… how cool will that be?! It served that blue dragon right for trying to kill me; I wouldn't shed a tear on him! All my friends' maws had hit the floor; I had impressed them with what I had been able to do!
"Wait… you shot light from your maw?!"
That came from Seth, I nodded. If I had hands with fingers I would have been rubbing them together in modest satisfaction and pride. I always strive to be humble and modest; Master Kai has constantly taught me to be so. Arrogance is an enemy of the martial arts and will always be! Yet you have to admit; that a dragonet beating an adult dragon isn't something that happens often.
"You better believe it! I sent that dragon flying a fourth of the distance across the ruins with that shot at the very least. I haven't mentioned nearly stripping him of the majority of his scales and injuring him good as well. All of that when I was only five years old; I even amaze myself at times!"
I didn't mention that I still have no idea how I was able to shoot light from my maw at that time, but that will be a task for me to find out how. Cynder was the next one to speak.
"But that is not possible! Light is not an element that dragons or dragonesses can use!"
I shrugged at her declaration. I had the same query when I had seen my younger self blast the blue dragon. Nevertheless, it's possible that white dragons can do things that other dragons can't. Why not being able to use elements that others aren't able to?! I had done it once; that proved that the light element does exist and is usable by a dragon. Perhaps it was a unique ability to white dragons? Who is to say?
"That may be normally true and for the most part, I would say the same. Yet apparently in my case at least, that does not hold true."
I resumed the tale. I felt pain in my heart as I was telling them about Koren's condition and following death; all to save me. I felt a change in Lara's breathing as she was still leaning up against me. I took a quick glance over at her to see quiet tears falling from her eyes. I could understand how she felt; in the end Koren had proven to be a true friend by making the ultimate sacrifice for me. Knowing this didn't help me not wonder how I had heard his voice the two times I did. Logic and common sense would dictate that such a thing as hearing Koren's voice isn't possible. Yet the same could be said of hearing voices and having memories of others and no one could convince me otherwise that I hadn't heard those voices and have the memories of others!
I kept going after I had finished the last memory I had in the Dragon Realm before going to earth. It was then I brought back up the conversation I had with Koren in the fourth vision. I still didn't get how whatever power had sent me to earth from the Dragon Realm could have 'locked' away my memories from me. None of the others seem to know either; most of them were just trying to figure out how anything could send me to a different place from the Dragon Realm. Not that I didn't find such a feat of sending someone from one world to another nothing short of astounding! Science certainly had never gotten close to doing anything like that!
I continued with the interesting exchange on the dais. I got confused looks with the conversation with Asreyel. I still went on talking through the confusion of my friends though. I went on about how I figured out why Asreyel was so infuriating to me as he reminded me of how I had once been before I had changed to the person I am now. Still with the line that he had shot back at me:
"Is that supposed to be insulting or something? I can assure you that memory isn't the only one of being shunned. I can show you more if you prefer. So I very much doubt you could insult me in a way I would care about."
The conversation with Asreyel didn't faze him in the slightest! Hell that arrogant punk had taken it in stride! He brought back to mind a few hard headed bullies I had to deal with in school. I had broken them… eventually; given enough time to work on them. Something told me Asreyel would take far longer than any other I have dealt with. Oh how I would still love and thoroughly enjoy finding a way to shatter that mental wall Asreyel seems to have! Taking him down a notch would really help raise my morale!
Where did I leave off in my story? Oh yes, I was heading back to the temple so as to not spring my luck to strike me while I was in the ruins. I got a strong explanation look when I mentioned the idea of 'luck buildup'. I should have figured that I would need to explain what 'luck buildup' is and how it works.
"Well, sorry I guess I should have known I would need to explain 'luck buildup'. Um simply put, my luck tends to hit me on a fairly regular basis. If my luck does not, then it begins to buildup and the longer it does the harder my luck will hit me when it is released. It had been over a week maybe two; so I was long overdue for a dose of bad luck! I did not want that dose to be administered while I was in the ruins."
I got to the point where I got back to the temple and got back to my bed, though I didn't sleep as I kept reliving they memory I had seen that night. I didn't tell them of the instance I remembered about the festival that my luck had hit me hard. It's funny looking back on it now, but I don't know how they would take it, or if they would even understand any of the subject matter that made it even the small bit funny now. I wouldn't like to really find out at the current moment.
Anyway, I continued on with the… incident that happened that next morning. When I began to tell about the situation I found Tarra in; Spyro, Cynder, Seth and Cyra looked over at her and Tarra blushed. I got the attention back on me by recounting my luck buildup release. I gave a VERY brief summary of the… problem I had with my back and Lara fixing it. It had felt… embarrassing at that time, with the pull of emotions I had been in! I didn't mention the way that Asreyel would comment or what his comments he gave were. Then I went into going to Arkanis and then the dragons for help for the fight at Warfang.
I completely skipped over the time Lara and I had our talk as again I feel it was a private thing and I wasn't going to share it. I skimmed over my activities of the next five days that I was using in preparation for the battle at Warfang. Then I gave a short excerpt of the battle itself, the fights with the monkeys, pretty much up to the point that we reunited. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed personally whooping each of the four silent killers on a one on one basis! With each of them I had done different things, but it hadn't been any less satisfying to do to them!
-Flashback end-
Of course Spyro and the others had questions for me on some of the specific details, yet it was easy to answer most of them. There were a couple of questions that I couldn't answer, for I don't know of a way to answer that they would understand. A good example would be; 'what are the voices'? I have no idea how to answer that! I really can't imagine saying 'they are the voices of those who have died' would go over very well, nor would I think, 'the voices are those who have passed' as they identified themselves as would be any better.
Anyway, over these last nine to ten months things had settled into a fairly stable and good routine, which I wasn't complaining about. I finally get some extended quiet time for once since I came to the Dragon Realm. I like and wish for such times to come into my life, but rarely do I get them, due to many different reasons contributing to that. Put simply, when you have a non-dull life like mine, learn to appreciate such times when they happen for they aren't common.
Why, might such times not be common you ask?
Well one of the more recent reasons that has been added to the list of problems; can be summed up in one word, Lara. Now don't get me wrong; she has improved a great deal in giving me time and personal space during these months especially when she isn't in heat. Yet she still shows me that she is interested in me as a potential mate for herself in her own various ways. When I say she still shows an interest, I mean she sticks close to me and other somewhat more subtle actions. She wasn't as clingy as when her mating cycle was affecting her THANK GOODNESS! Lara is, still undeniably bold and persistence. The problem with this standing situation is she isn't the only one that's doing so, Tarra is too!
In fact another reason for my life's current waves of discontent is Tarra. She had taken steps to get closer to me over the months, which Lara had been trying to prevent and stop. But, against Lara's efforts; Tarra has really warmed up to me for reasons I can only guess. Maybe it's that we have the same kind of luck or something else. I don't know what it is! I'm not against being friends with her, but like Lara I'm not interested at this time at being more than friends like both dragonesses are. Though, I'm surprised and amazed at the difference in Tarra when she came into starting HER mating cycle. I don't know which of the two dragonesses is worse?!
-Flashback 7 months ago-
I had decided for the day to go down to the lower tier and work on an idea I had recently to improve my tools of protection and persuasion. To coin a phrase in this kind of idea with one minor change, 'Robin… to the blacksmith's!' The moles had welcomed me at any time I came to the smithy. Actually, they had become very interested in my 'ideas and innovations' I came up with. Some of them went as far as to often assistance during the time I would work on a project as much to see and learn the techniques and methods I used as for anything else, especially the younger moles. I had been working on designs for a whip as of late. Since the battle of Warfang I had seen the uses that such a tool would have. As I would be in the Dragon Realm for a long while if what those voices had said is anything to go by, I might as well go the whole distance and prepare for the worst of the worst. So I worked on coming up with ways to make such an idea practical. I have an amazing imagination that I will employ in this; said ideas could very well save my life. So since I will be here for the long haul, I might as well prepare for it; whatever that long haul may be.
I was in my draconic form at the moment as it had become nicely comfortable, though I would turn into a human when I got to the smithy as I would need the dexterity that human hands have over dragon paws. I was in the musings of my mind, so I was less aware of the world around me. Knowing that you can't blame me when I jumped at hearing a voice speaking to me; I hadn't expected it at all let alone the individual that the voice had belonged to.
"Hello Saber, where are you going today?"
On instinct, I jumped about a foot into the air at the sound of the voice. When I got back to the ground, I spun around to find myself face to face with Tarra. … And she was smiling at me sweetly?! … That's… different! I slowed down my rapid breathing at the surprise that had gotten my heart pumping so hard. This is a natural exercise I would do with martial arts a lot. I may not be easy to surprise or scare, but it can be done and with nerves as keen and sharp as mine, I give off a very strong reaction when someone does manage to take me by surprise. I hadn't expected to see Tarra here… or really at all today, but things do happen. … What's confusing me is that, she didn't stutter at all. Granted, she has gotten better around me, but not out in public yet! However, Tarra had just spoken in a clear and audible voice… and again... her voice sounds musical. Maybe this is an odd happenstance? … Yeah I doubt that; odd happenstance doesn't happen to me very often; like a fifty percent chance in a blue moon. In other words slimmer than slim! I might just be over thinking this situation, can't say. I shook my head slightly and then smiled back at Tarra.
"Oh… hey Tarra, I did not know you were there. It was almost like you were waiting for me or something… never mind. Where am I going right this moment? Well I was planning to spend time at the smithy with the moles. Why do you ask?"
Tarra continued to smile in that sweetly way at me at my reply. This was different for her; it is kind of making me wonder what is going on. Granted she smiles at me and everything; there is just something off about this that I can't put my talon on. I noticed that she was tracing her left forepaw against the ground in the act of being shy. Now that's what I have come to expect from Tarra, still even this action is somehow unlike her usual way of doing things. Don't get the wrong idea; I have liked how we have become closer as friends over the last few months. It is wonderful to talk to her without her stuttering or mumbling much though she still does somewhat in public. Actually I discovered that Tarra has a very beautiful voice. But, she has been sticking closer than usual the past couple of days. I wonder if she… no that's just wrong and dumb! There is no way that can be the case right now. I mean I wouldn't doubt she has cycles as she is a dragoness and I can't help but admit that with Lara, there was an immense change. But with Tarra, I find it hard to believe she would be THAT different!
"Well, I was wondering if you were free. Maybe you could show me around Warfang more."
Okay… I didn't see that one coming. I had shown her around Warfang a couple of times already; maybe she has somewhat a bad memory for city layouts? Well, I don't see an issue with showing Tarra around. Plus with the face she is giving me… I don't think I will be able to say no; she is just too cute at the moment! I mean the whip I plan to build can wait for now; I didn't see a reason to have the whip done today or in the very near future, so why not? An easy and quiet day would be nice for a change of pace. I'm still kind of suspicious of her behavior. Yet I could just be seeing things that aren't there. Being around Lara while she had been in heat; I had quickly developed a secondary sense to note odd behavior more than I would have previously, in order to have a little warning on what was coming! It could be over sensitive at times though.
"Um… sure if you like; where do you want to go first?"
Tarra looked happy at my answer and came to walk beside me on my right. I shrugged off my previous thoughts, dismissing them as me being paranoid of dragonesses lately. I need to relax, easier said than done. I don't do relaxation well; it takes time and effort to get to the point I can really relax. We started down to the ground level tier and went around the market area. There was a great deal of activity in the market as the harvest of the summer had just occurred; so there was a lot of new crops and such. Many merchants had come to Warfang and were selling their wares. Yet, through all of this, I had a growing feeling of unease nagging in me the longer this went on. There was something off from the norm in this activity; I just can't say or place what it is exactly. Perhaps I am a little skittish in relationships still… okay I am skittish in relationships because I have so little experience in them. But, my sense of paranoia has saved my life and sanity more than enough for me to trust that there is a reason for me to wonder if it flares up much like my danger sense.
We went to a few different shops and even had lunch, which included fresh produce that was amazing. It was nice to take things easy every now and then; even I have to say that, though many would say I'm a workaholic. Still the feeling of something not seeming to be right or normal wouldn't leave my mind. I mean granted, showing Tarra around is nothing bad or anything I consider troublesome; I was having fun with this, especially seeing Tarra smile with happiness. My heart would skip a beat each time that I saw her smile in that way! Fun as it is; I just couldn't shake off the feeling of discontent and missing normalcy. You can call me crazy, but I swear that Tarra is somehow not acting like she normally does; it is just so subtle I can't identify the difference. I just can't put my finger… um talon on it and it was bugging me. I was still walking around with Tarra all the while trying to figure out what was different unobtrusively; the thoughts that I had a little while ago came back to the forefront of my mind. I was about to dismiss those thoughts once again as foolishness, when a shout was heard.
"HOW DARE YOU, TRAMP!"
I froze; I would know that voice anywhere! Its owner put me through things I don't want to go through again right now or see myself having an interest in anytime soon in the future! I turned to see Fredrick and… Lara; both of them were staring at Tarra and me. Lara's face made me flinch visibly with apprehension. Lara was livid with rage! The weird thing was that rage wasn't directed at me; but at Tarra, which didn't make any sense to me. Lara and Tarra are the best of friends… normally; not so much right now though. The look in Lara's eyes said quite the opposite as it happens. She wanted to rip Tarra apart at the current moment. I don't have a clue as to why and I am having no luck on figuring out the reason she wanted to do that right now. I may be kind of dim when it comes to the subject of the female's thought processes and reasoning, however logic no matter how odd or twisted it can be still will have a reason for the actions taken! Logic is all about the cause and effect standpoint. Fredrick had stepped in front of Lara trying to calm her down, though he wasn't having any success on doing so.
Lara was beginning to cause a scene with her having a temper tantrum. I simply don't understand this. Lara had seen Tarra and me together before and didn't react like this at all. I have to be missing something in this situation. I look over at Tarra, in hopes of understanding what the issue for this quickly degrading scene was. I figuratively felt my maw drop to the cobble stone street like a rock at seeing Tarra giggling and… sticking her tongue out at Lara! WHAT THE HELL! … Oh my… My danger sense is tingling! I have a really, REALLY bad feeling that this series of events is doomed to end in a fight. If nothing is done to change the atmosphere FAST, than that is a definite nightmare come true! Still, why is it that the one that gets to fix crap like this, has to be me?! I know I shouldn't ask it… but, how could this get worse then it is now?
Tarra took a few paces to come closer until she was standing directly next me. While she did this I was watching Lara with worry and then Tarra began to rub the underside of my jawline, right where my neck connects to my head with her cheek. I had to say Tarra's scales felt different than Lara's… the texture was different. I really can't put into words better than that. The feeling was… pleasant. Anyway, back to the heart of the matter; there is the answer to my previous asked question. (sigh) Prompt as I have come to expect from my terrible bad luck. Thank you, both of you from above and below for watching me for your own entertainment; I hope you both are enjoying the SHOW! It is at times like this that my life and the complications just make things, oh so much harder.
Lara wasn't taking Tarra's action well at all! In fact Tarra's action seemed to drive Lara's rage to new heights. Fredrick was literally holding a struggling Lara from launching herself at Tarra. Tarra on the other paw just smiled and giggled at Lara's reaction as she stopped rubbing my jawline to lick my cheek then continued her caresses to my jawline just with her snout in an affectionate fashion! I was too confused at the moment to really resist or do much at all about Tarra's actions.
"What is your problem Lara~? Jealous that Saber's with me rather than you?"
It took a couple of seconds for me to gather my thoughts before the facts hit me and registered… Wait don't tell me… Tarra is in HEAT! I had the thought she could be, she is a dragoness after all. But, I had hoped that wasn't the case right now! That explains a great deal of the oddities and why Lara is acting the way she is. By what I understand after a conversation with Spectra and Solara; Dragonesses can tell or detect when another dragoness is in heat. They said things that inferred the idea of guarding and protecting their potential mate or something along those lines. Still I had been right on the money about Tarra being in heat, I shouldn't doubt my intuition; it tends to be right ninety freaking nine percent of the time! I know that dragonesses change in ways that one can't completely predict; but it would be nice and courteous for them to give us guys a break and not fight over us or in this case ME! However, when females are in heat, it varies from dragoness to dragoness; so I guess that is kind of impossible to get any really clear warning.
Lara is an extreme example of the changes that dragonesses go through during their mating cycles. Hmm, I had been wondering why Tarra seemed so confident in herself when she was around so many others; it's so out of place for her. Then there is the point that I have shown her around a couple of times now, so she should know her way around by now. However, that was never the purpose was it?! Nooooo, it was to get me alone with her and specifically away from Lara! It should have been completely obvious not too long after she asked me to go around with her; now that I look at this situation! Oh Tarra can be shrewd when she has opportunity and puts forth effort! I will need to watch out for myself in the future around her and Lara; this just is like a powder keg waiting to explode! Yea for damage control!
-End of flashback-
I get the idea, that dragonesses have difficulty controlling themselves when they are in heat! Recent practical experience has taught me well in this with the time I have been in the Dragon Realm. Both Lara and Tarra have been… expressing their interest in the subject of a mate and their mate being me. Lara had been doing so since Carona in a rather up front and blunt way. Where Tarra had expressed her interest shortly after arriving at Warfang; she took a different and more subtle tact to try to catch my attention. In fact whenever they are in the same room as of late they seem to only glare at one another. I hope I won't end up being the cause of their friendship getting strained badly.
They may not fight openly… yet, though there had been a few close calls! It usually starts building when the both of them are in the same room and I'm also there too. Hell it had almost happened right there during Tarra's first mating cycle around me and I was smack dab in the center of it; in the middle of the street no less with an audience! In fact I'm amazed that the two dragonesses hadn't begun the catfight right then and there!
Thank goodness for all of our sakes, especially those of us involved; Spectra and Solara had happened to be passing by and had put a stop to the looming skirmish! I have been forced to quickly realize that dragonesses in heat have a much harder time controlling their… desires. It's not like there drunk, but it's not as far off the general idea as one might imagine! I would know what being around someone who is drunk is like! Thank you uncle for the years of the unintentional lessons you taught me about the horrible evils and effects of alcohol! Nevertheless I can say that the dragonesses I have seen in heat aren't all that much different from drunken people.
Lara and Tarra issue with each other involved me and it is very strenuous, let me tell you. The only way I see a possible end to this is choosing one of them and disappointing the other that would likely come with consequences that I really don't want to deal with right now. The time of both of them for their next cycle is still a couple of months away for Lara and around two months after that for Tarra. Dragonesses' mating cycles, seem to come on six month circuits as I have observed. … Lara's second mating season was worse than the first one I had to endure and yes that's possible!
My saving grace I had come up with a temporary solution in the middle of Lara's mating cycle; I came up with a way to avoid them and I accomplished this by leaving Warfang and not return for three weeks! In reality I went and stayed with the cheetah tribe and thankfully for me I have gotten on much friendlier terms with the cheetahs by now. So I had a habit of staying with them during those times for all future mating cycles until I find a way to deal with the issue. It was really fun as it happens; much like a hunting trip of sorts! It is just not with other humans or dragons, but with cheetahs. I have learned a great deal from the cheetah tribes during my stay with them. It may not be a perfect system, but it does work for the point of me avoiding the two dragonesses when they're in heat for now! Avoidance is a wonderful way to deal with this particular problem and so is the best policy for the time being. Still Lara and Tarra had shown that they were still very interested in me and didn't show any signs that would be changing anytime in the near future!
I had been shocked the Tarra hadn't backed down to Lara and continued to show that she also had an interest in me as a mate. Tarra who is normally not really that forward with others; during her mating cycle shown that her normal mannerisms do a near one eighty; so where she is normally quiet and reserved goes to confident and will show what she wants. She just does so in a less noticeable ways I learned than Lara does when she is in heat. Lara and Tarra were both in a competition of a type which is for my attention and my interest on one of them for a mate. This competition between the two of them was getting to be very tiring for me and was wearing me down.
With those two going to great lengths to fetch my attention; you would think that with those two that there is no way that my life can get worse! Ha ha ha, I have learned to never ever ask such a silly and utterly stupid question a long time ago! My bad luck is too prompt and seemingly malicious to not answer such a question; even when I don't ask it. In other words I don't really want to know, yet my bad luck shoves the answer down my throat anyways!
This time around, the answer to the previously mentioned question came in a very particular form; that was… Sarana! Where do I even start with the array of troubles I have with that dragoness?! Yes, she comes with her own set of problems and troubles she causes me! The last time she got her paws on me was a preview as to what kind of problems I should expect! Lara and Tarra combined are easier to deal with than Sarana was on the way to Hyrule! The things she had done to me when I was human were horrible and unspeakable! You would think, with that view in mind that there is nothing that Sarana could do that would be somehow even worse; would you?
Oh… I have a feeling anyone would be surprised what can be done when given the right motivation. I have yet to find out what she would actually do to me when she finally gets a hold of me with her paws. Most likely following catching me; she tows me away and then I have no idea nor do I want to find out! I will be kicking and screaming bloody murder the whole way at the top of my lungs, if that is what it takes to keep out of her clutches so help me! Of course she had been… ecstatic that I had become a dragon… actually let me back up and start at the point she discovered the fact I was a dragon.
-Flashback around three months ago-
"I don't see much of a difference between the way you are now and how you were before."
Ah, there is the familiar pulsing vein on my forehead and the surge of annoyance to that voice! I see he hasn't changed in the slightest! It figures, this is HIM we're talking about after all! I shouldn't get my hopes or expectations up with him; it is a waste of time and effort. Yet I hadn't been looking forward to seeing the light bulb with wings again; in fact I had been dreading it in a way. When IC learned of some of the facts of what had transpired to me while I had been away; I would never live it down with the Ghastly Gossip. I spun around to face the nemesis of my logical mind, the bane of my sanity, Sparx the dragonfly.
"I do not recall ever asking for your opinion or even caring what you think, you black hole to all things logical and sane!"
Sparx huffed at my reply. Typical IC, I am able now to predict your actions with unerring accuracy, yet I wish I couldn't. There was going to be a change in this relationship, I swear! I would apologize to Spyro for the things I would do to IC later!
"A pity you came back it was nice and quiet."
That little yellow son of a… you still are unwise enough to insult me I see. You think you'll not suffer the consequences for such an action! FOR SHAME! No chance in HELL of that! Oh the things I have contemplated of doing to you IC. Now that I have had the time to think about them, the only thing left to decide is which idea I enact first!
Lara was next to me looking from me to Sparx with confusion. Funny enough Sparx had yet to notice my companion even though she was staring at him in confusion. The idiot probably is mistaking Lara for Spyro, them both being purple and all. Stupid is as stupid does and all of that I suppose in this case.
"Saber who is that?"
I turned to Lara with surprise. I know I have told her about Sparx before; several different times as I recall. I glanced back to the endless windbag to see a welcome sight. Sparx seemed to be at a loss for words, which was very rare for him. I raised a paw and pointed to Sparx as I answered Lara.
"That thing; would be the dragonfly I told you about. The light bulb with wings, the ghastly gossip, the endless windbag, the incessant chatterbox or IC is what I call him for short. Feel free to use whichever of those names fits your pleasure to call him? His name is technically is Sparx, but I see no reason to call him by his name when the other names that I just stated, fit him far better."
"Hey I resent that!"
I faced Sparx and smirked. I have missed taunting him so much! There is just a joy unlike any other I get when I one up IC! Chalk one up for me baby!
"I am sure you do, but as I recall you brought this upon yourself. So IC, I think you need to be put back in line; since you apparently have had free reign to do as you please while I was gone. I am mmmmore than willing to do so. Now then, to the business of such actions, Barbecuing or Deep Fat Frying; which of those two activities is your preference?"
"Neither of those."
"That is not an acceptable answer you light bulb with wings! I would say for you to note; that I will hunt you down to enact one of these on you whether you like it or not. So running will not help you! If anything, it means I get to choose which activity we do! If you have a problem with my services that you get; then you should not have annoyed me so much!"
Sparx visibly gulped.
"So pick your poison ya punk! I haven't got all day for you to decide!"
I giggled maliciously. Sparx zoomed off after I said that and giggled. Well I'll have the joy of hunting him down later. If he thinks he can escape me; then he is in for a surprise. I will show him the skills I have learned from most recent escapades. After IC zoomed off, I along with Lara resumed our journey at a walking pace to the lower tier. I had been going to meet Seth who was waiting for his sister. Spectra had been traveling or something like that; Seth hadn't really been that specific on what she was doing on her said travels.
Lara had met up with me on my way before I had bumped into IC. I was a bit wary of her at the moment; I think she was due for another mating cycle sometime soon; if what Cynder had told me was correct about the timing of the cycle. I now know that I get six month periods of not needing to worry about the dragonesses going into heat. Actually more like two months then a little less than four months for that; that's because Tarra's mating cycle is about two months after Lara's. I mean she looked and seemed fine for the moment, so I wasn't too worried yet. Anyway, Lara and I headed down to the gates of Warfang to meet up with Seth. We arrived at the square in front of the gates; I was looking around trying to spot Seth. I spotted him after a few minutes of looking and walked over to him with Lara a step behind me.
"Hey Seth, finally found you! Sorry that I am a little late. I was delayed by IC."
Seth turned to the sound of my voice and smiled. His smile faltered for a second slightly when he saw Lara. The morning after telling my tale I had taken Seth and Spyro aside and discussed and explained my… issue with Lara. Both had said they would help me as they could. Spyro would be a tad more help than Seth as Spyro has a bit more experience in this area than Seth, but it is the thought that counts, right?
"Hi Saber, just glad you made it down here. … Good morning Lara."
Lara nodded and replied in kind to Seth. Both my original friends and newly made friends from Carona were getting along with one another, there were just some rough areas still. I was about to try to smooth thing over between the two when an icy cold shiver shot down my spine. I instantly froze; I haven't had a danger signal like this for a while… months now that I think about it! I am dreading what is about to happen; my bad luck had been fairly regular lately; I haven't had any luck buildup. So nothing big should happen right now, but with my luck as it is; it isn't always completely predictable. Things had been fairly quiet for a while now, though it seems that was about to come to an end; if this danger signal is anything to go by then that said end was nigh! I doubt it will be good for me at all!
"Ah Seth, there was no need for you to come meet me here in the square before the gate."
The three of us turned our heads to see Spectra approaching us. As I gazed at Spectra, I was a little confused for a moment. Spectra wouldn't set off my danger sense at the magnitude it had just gone off at… not anymore at least that I would expect. So then if it wasn't Spectra, then the source had to been somewhere close. Well while Seth was greeting Spectra and Lara was staring at her; I glanced around trying to find the cause of my danger sense going off. My gaze stopped at a spot a little beyond Spectra. I felt my heart speed up with ice cold fear flowing through my veins. I was trying my best not to shake at what I saw! Behind Spectra, a little distance was a certain grey dragoness I had hoped never ever to see anytime soon again in the future! The cause of my danger sense going off at the level it did was plain and had proven my dread justified and verified!
Apparently Spectra on her travels had stopped by to see Sarana likely on her way back to Warfang from wherever she had gone to. I know that Spectra is friends with Sarana, but does mean Spectra has to bring her here?! I… I don't want to go through any of that again! I have enough on my plate to deal with. I need Sarana's 'affections' as much as need the bubonic plague or I think it is also known as the black plague too… Oh hell, I had a horrible thought; what if Sarana and Lara double team me?! NOOOOOOO! I wouldn't survive that in any STABLE mental state!
While I was panicking internally, Sarana was at the same time glancing around in curiosity; assumingly at the changes that had happened. I was attempting to quell the panic within me, yet as vivid memories of what Sarana had done to me previously flashed through my mind; I failed miserably. However I didn't let my internal struggle be seen outwardly.
Through the waves of panic, I had a thought… an epiphany if you will. Sarana shouldn't know I have become a dragon, if Spectra hasn't said anything to her and I am praying on hands and knees she didn't! In other words, Sarana shouldn't know it is me that is in front of her! Everyone I have met, figured out I was myself by recognizing the sound of my voice as it didn't change when I was a dragon or human. I should be safe if I keep my mouth shut completely and not do anything that will tip her off it is me. I can't shake and tremble while I am around her; as much as my body might want to do so; it only seemed to incense her to keep going as I recall. I SHALL NOT ALLOW MY BODY TO DO THAT! I haven't forgotten any of the things she did to me; there is no way I can! I had nightmares about those horrible experiences up till I got to Carona; … then the subjects of my nightmares drastically changed due to endless new material the memories provided me that were legions worse than Sarana's administrations. Yet I only have problems with the memories when I am sleeping or at least trying to. Still that doesn't mean I want her to torture me again! I need a break during the day from the horrors I see at night!
Once again I asserted my amazing mental discipline and I forced myself not to shake and put up a front of being calm and collected, even though I wasn't in any way. Anyone looking at me would think I hadn't a care in the world! That's exactly what I want others to see and believe! Seth glanced at me and gave me a look of slight pity; he knew how I could be around Sarana, as he had been there after the time she had tortured me. Said dragoness came up and faced Spectra.
"So did anyone ever find that human Saber? I liked him, we had such fun together. He knew how to show a dragoness a fun time!"
FUN she says! A GOOD time she says! I neither know what or where she had been seeing at the time she had tortured me, nor do I want to know really. Sarana had been the only one having fun in those activities! As to showing her a good time, never again! I value my health and sanity too highly to even risk attempting taking such things she had done again! It is surprising that I'm the first one that she asks about, though I don't take that as a complement; if anything it means that she misses what she considers her favorite toy! I just kept silent. I repeated the mantra 'keep quiet and she won't know it's you' in my head as if my life depended on it! In a way and for my day time life it did depend on Sarana not knowing I was right in front of her as a dragon! Unfortunately for me; my luck would have none of that! Sarana noticed me and looked at me with surprise. Crap! I'm so dead!
"What the?! Is he a white dragon?! I didn't think there were scales of that color."
Did… did I just get a Miracle?! Maybe I'm not in as much trouble as I thought I was yet! Oh how silly of me! For me to expect that I would be getting out of this; not a chance of that happening. Divine intervention doesn't work in miraculous ways for me; I instead get the reverse! The reason for that is that I'm too much a magnet for horrible random CRAP! I know that I should accept that Sarana would be torturing me soon enough and just get it over and done with. Yet I wasn't willing to give up that easily and would keep trying the hardest I can to get out of this situation! It was at this time Lara had started to growl soft and low in Sarana's direction. No, please don't Lara; for my sake please, don't do that to Sarana! But Sarana heard the growl and she looked over at Lara with confusion and annoyance.
"What is your problem? Who are you anyway? You are a purple dragoness? So you are not Spyro."
Seth came to my aid and spoke up as I was still keeping my maw clamped tight shut. I was trying not to hyperventilate as the icy cold panic that was flowing through me was on the rise. In my current standing, things were bad for me at the start and were speedily getting worse! My perfect plan of getting out of being found out by Sarana is currently being blown to hell by Lara!
"Her name is Lara. Sarana…"
Lara interrupted Seth.
"So you are Sarana?!"
"Yes, what is it to you?"
I knew it was going to go bad when these two met, but not this catastrophic! Of course Lara would see Sarana as some sort of rival; why I have no clue? Sarana is not someone I want to be around even if you paid me to be! Again females are strange creatures to me and I don't think I will ever fully understand them. I desperately looked around for a way out of this dire situation; I needed to bail out of this ASAP before things got much worse! I don't dare ask how that is possible, because I DON'T want to know!
I caught Spectra's eyes, hoping for help in this and saw a look of pity for me. I felt the blood drain from my face almost instantly after I got that look from Spectra. Though I would bet none would see any difference in the color of my face while I'm a dragon, the white scales and all; can't get any paler. No, sh-she wouldn't, Spectra wouldn't do that to me! My breathing which I had managed to have kept calm up till now was becoming uneven as the panic was spreading through me and kept getting stronger ever second. Spectra had been there when Sarana had shown that she had a liking for me. When I say she took a liking to me, it was in reality being used as her new favorite toy! My body began to ever so slightly shake; I couldn't stop it much longer. I was becoming more than afraid now. My mind started a very dangerous spiral of thoughts of spending time without choice or parole with Sarana.
Spectra wouldn't sentence me to the idea akin to public torture that precedes execution, would she?! I don't deserve that type of treatment! I know that I was losing my mental control, yet my mind was clouded by fear and terror, so give me a break! The mental control that remained to me was breaking quickly; I was barely hanging on to what I still had! I needed to calm down. I was overthinking this; that was all! Remember keep quiet and Sarana will not know I'm here. I looked over to Spectra again in hopes that what I had seen moments ago had been my imagination playing some kind of cruel sick game with me.
To my fast growing horror; I saw Spectra turning to Sarana. My eyes went widen at her action and the fear that had been rising in me spiked. If this is a game, then I don't want to play it anymore! This wasn't a game to me; this was SERIOUS BUSINESS! SHE WAS GOING TO RAT ME THE HELL OUT! The spiral of destructive thought my brain had been racing through went into a plummeting nosedive! Now my mind was diving down; was out of control and unable to pull up out of it. Before I could stop myself I blurted out words in panic!
"NO SPECTRA DON'T DO IT!"
There was… well not dead silence per say, as there were others all around us, but just those present here had gone quiet; you understand the hole, you can call a grave I had just dug myself. All eyes were on me now due to my outburst. DAMN IT! I just served as my own judge, jury and executionerrrr! I sentenced myself to something that will make death a mercy! Sarana now had her sight glued to me. She had recognized my voice, no doubt about that. Yet it seems my current draconic form was confusing her. After a minute passed a wide grin spread across her face as she continued to look at me. Well this isn't the way I envisioned I would die. I guess what comes to mind right now was 'goodbye cruel world'. So the final question of my life remains, to whom do I get to blame and instill my wrath upon?! Will it be The Man Upstairs or The Foolish One Beneath?! Will it be heaven that falls this day or will it be the day of judgment and reckoning for hell?! In any event I will be stirring up things and making waves unlike anything that have been seen before, I swear I will! I will make them rule the day they left me to this fate!
Things seemed to move in slow motion, which made it so much worse! I saw Sarana coming towards me. I felt the first powerful shot of adrenaline; the wonderful substance living creatures' bodies produce in times of need and in the occurrences of emergencies, hit me. If this wasn't an emergency, I don't know what is! If ever there was a time I needed that substance, it was NOW! I began to move to try to get out of the way; when a purple object collided with Sarana. I stare in utter shock at the sight of Lara on top of Sarana using paw, talon, and tail blade to subdue the dragoness. Sarana took a couple of seconds to start to fight back against her attacker.
Well I hadn't seen this resulting outcome; not that I was going to complain. Lara had just saved me from a fate I didn't want in the slightest! Out of the corner of my eye I saw Seth with his maw matching mine; being dropped in sheer shock and amazement! Spectra strode forward at the two fighting dragonesses with an air of authority.
"Both of you stop this immediately!"
Neither Lara nor Sarana appeared to have heard Spectra as they were too focused on one another. If anything, Spectra's order acted as the green light for the two dragonesses to start the banter and really get this fight going! Well I might as well act as the announcer for this fight then.
'Ahem… Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this catfight/chick fight match of the century on this fine day. In the blue corner; the champion, the dragoness with a steel vice grip, the Grey Terror Sarana! *Unseen audience cheering!* And in the red corner; the challenger, the tireless and unrelenting dragoness, the Purple Nightmare Lara! *More cheering!* Now the moment you've all been waiting for… LLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEE!'
"What is your problem?!"
'It's the grey terror first from the get go! She starts this fight with a demanding the Nightmare's reasons as she tries to hold down the challenger!'
"I will not let you get your paws on him!"
'Oh and what a counter! The purple nightmare ignores her opponent's words, but instead just gives her demands while she lays down a swipe-down with her forepaws! Ladies and gentlemen this is a grueling fight from the start! It appears the champion may be in trouble!'
"I do not know what you are talking about!"
'The grey terror seems confused by the purple nightmare, but… oh wait... what's this?! The terror has thrown the challenger off with an excellent use of the hind legs! The terror quickly takes initiative and jumps on top of the purple nightmare! Oh my how the tables have turned on our challenger! What a Chick fight this is people! The one thing that is clear in this fight is the winner will give the loser a show-lacking they will never forget!'
…
Sorry, I lost myself in the moment and really got into the fight, ha ha ha. Anyways by this point; groups of dragons, moles and some cheetahs had gathered around the square and were now watching the catfight. I mean how could they not watch?! Lara and Sarana were clawing and hitting each other without a care that they had an audience! Actually I would assume the two dragonesses haven't even noticed that they had an audience. Both dragonesses were far too focused on each other at the moment! They were seriously out to kill each other, or at least hurt and maim one another at a bare minimum before they were forced to stop.
A catfight on its own is hard not to watch it as it happens and unfolds. After all watching girls fighting is always worth watching, but when it turns into a catfight; niceties are thrown out the window and they resort to fighting dirty! Today I'm seeing firsthand what "fighting dirty" entails with dragonesses and let me tell you, it isn't any better than human females do! However, this one is the type of chick fight that you can accurately compare to a train wreck; you don't want to stare, but you just can't look away! It was as Seth and I were watching this that I heard a voice from behind me.
"What is going on?"
I glanced back to find the voice belonged to Spyro and he wasn't alone. Spyro was accompanied by Cynder, Cyra, Ruben and Solara. Oh my, I have a feeling that this is going to get interesting in more ways than one; ha ha wee. I still haven't forgotten that Spectra and Solara had been the one to stop Lara and Tarra from fighting earlier, yet that was before the fight had actually started. This fight was already going full throttle and neither side is likely to slow down, nor shows signs of surrendering in the near future! I turned back to the fight, though I did take the time to answer Spyro.
"Oh well, just a catfight of amazing proportions; other than that nothing much."
I said this in a calm matter of fact tone. It isn't like I haven't seen a catfight or anything. They happened every now and again back at the dojo; so I have seen my fair share of girls fighting one another for whatever reasons they use to excuse their motive for a fight. You see, when guys fight, the reasons are usually upfront, easy to see and are understandable. When girls fight, unlike guys they go into the said fight with the intent beyond just settling differences, normally from the start. It feels really different when you are the reason that the fight is happening; it makes it a little more… well more!
"What are you taking about? What is a catfight?"
I had a double take at Spyro's last question as it was kind of shocking to me. Spyro doesn't know what a catfight is?! These kinds of fights must not happen in public often. Dragonesses must keep this kind of thing out of the view of dragons; that's nice to note. Females act nice in front of the males in the dragon species, while behind their backs they are not; at least when it comes to laying claim on a male dragon for a mate is concerned. I used my right forepaw to wave Spyro forward to come to my right side. When he had come to be beside me, I placed my forepaw on the back of Spyro's head and guided him by turning his head so that he couldn't miss the scene that was the catfight between Lara and Sarana. On seeing this, his maw promptly dropped in shock. It would seem that my original assumption of Spyro never seeing a catfight before was right on the money; that meant this was his first! What a catfight to be his first to see and from the front row no less! Oh Spyro is in for a treat!
-End of Flashback-
Well the catfight had ended in a 'draw' if that's the way you want to put it nicely. If you want to be technical about it, the four female guardians had put a stop to it. It took two guardians on each dragoness to finally separate them. Yet they had adequate time to do; maiming, harm and all kinds of injuries to one another before the said separation occurred. I was kind of bummed at the ending of the fight! The fight had just beginning to get even better; Ah nuts… anyways. The results of the catfight were as follows; Lara spent two weeks in the healer wing, along with Sarana, who spent four weeks there. The reason of the difference between the stays of the two dragonesses was Sarana had to be tied down and watched a good deal of the time to make sure she stayed in the healer wing to recover. Lara waited and did what she was told by the healer dragons and she was released at the end of the two weeks. Sarana spent almost four weeks in the healer wing; mostly due to her struggling that hindered her body healing.
As for me that gave me a much needed break from the two, which I was happy about! I look back and realize that by the timing of the event that Lara had been starting her mating cycle and was in heat. That fact had effectively contributed to the catfight and well… never mind, not a subject I see a reason to get into. Hence the reason I had decided to take a personal "trip" while those two were in the healer wing. That is when I had found my excellent method of avoiding the two… actually now likely three dragonesses during their mating cycles. Can I get a "HUNTING TRIP" anyone!
It had come up as I had left those two in their beds and I had come across the cheetah Hunter. When I had told him of my… dilemma; he suggested I leave Warfang for a few weeks so that I wasn't around them and they weren't around me. I still wonder why I had never thought of that idea; it was so simple yet pure genius! Well back to the point, Hunter had shown me the way to one of the villages of the cheetah tribe; thankfully not the one that Chief Prowless was in charge of and I spent two weeks there in peace and quiet, without dragonesses trying to jump my bones via assault tactics.
Within these nine months or so I have gotten into a routine that is nice… not exactly comfortable to the point that I could completely relax, but manageable and doable; that's what counts! Yet knowing how my life goes, that is bound to change sooner or later. I have fourteen years of experience to back that statement! Even though I have become or turned back to being a dragon, that doesn't affect my luck or my knack of attracting trouble by any means!
A/n
That is the first chapter. I know it was LONG, but there were lots of things to cover in this chapter! The poll will be open until chapter two. HOWEVER, understand I have pretty much decided who I will go with. It will take a HUGE amount to change my choice; don't let me stop you from trying to your opinion known. The choice will be made clear at the end of Chapter two. For those who don't want to listen to my elaboration of what things, feel free to review! All beyond this point is my explanation and my comments to reviews. So stop reading here if you have no interest.
Now there were three basic points that I was asked about over the last chapters in part one of the white dragon chronicles. These are as follows:
1. The conversation, retelling of and explanation of Saber's adventure away from Spyro, Cynder, Seth and Cyra.
2. Tarra's heat cycle and how Lara may take it
3. How Sarana would react when she found out Saber had become a dragon
The first point was the one many asked me to do and that is why it takes up a great deal of the chapter. Still please keep in mind it is summarizing eight chapters along with Saber's thoughts on things that he learned during the events. Plus there are the reactions to his story by Spyro and Co.
The second point… well I knew even when I was asked to do a scene or section on Tarra's heat cycle that it would be very different that Lara's cycle. Lara and Tarra are completely different dragonesses so, it should be expected that the way they act during the heat of their mating cycles will vary accordingly. That doesn't mean that they won't be in competition with one another for Sabers attention.
The third point, I had many ask me to write about this subject; not as many as point number one, but still a lot asked me to write this scene. So I hope I did it justice and answered the challenge satisfactory.
Vulpimaru
Well as you probably know and as I have stated that will be settled next chapter. But I am glad you are not a guess anymore. I hope you continue reading the story.
Keyblader Zen
I agree that Lara isn't insane. I don't see her that way; she is just… aggressive, yes that is a better way of putting it. However I hope that is the impression I gave in this chapter. I said that most dragons see Lara as an object because I think that is how Spyro is seen; he is the 'heroic purple dragon' and not Spyro himself. So I think Lara would be in a very similar position as him being a purple dragoness. For Saber's mental state… I am surprised he isn't certifiably nuts with what he goes through! His life is not ideal but as he does he takes things as they come.
1dchouseman
Lara not taking Saber being with another? If her reaction to Tarra during her mating cycle wasn't a hint to how she would take it; I don't know how I could make it any clearer! As to Saber chasing Lara… um Saber has problems with relationships if that wasn't made clear by now so I doubt he would chase her.
Crow the Dragon
Thank you, I am glad you like my story. Tarra's past is a subject I will get into latter in this part. Tarra is however clingy, just not in the exact same way that Lara is; if that didn't show.
ArcticDragon Rider
I am glad you liked my last chapter and hope you liked part one now that I went through revising and enriching it. I hope this part wasn't too much or too long for your taste. I seriously thought about splitting this into two chapters, but decided against it due to I want chapter two to start the story moving forward in the plot. And don't worry humor will abound in this part as well.
