SUMMER

Angkar: Wet season. Precipitation is common during the late afternoon and evening hours. Vegetation grows significantly during the summer, but flooding is a danger due to the monsoons that ravage the country. The rainforest sees evenly distributed rainfall throughout the season.

Ashoka: Desert: Extremely hot and dry. Violent, heavy downpours following long dryspells. Jungle: Hot and humid with frequent, violent rainstorms.

Morrim: Relatively hot and dry, but with a chance of thunderstorms from time to time. The heat may cause forest fires.

Soto: Hot and humid, tree cover is dense while ground growth is restricted. Thunderstorms see the most amount of rainfall during the season, and it can be very windy. On occasion, there are flash floods that can destroy homes and farms built on flood plains.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 30th, 2018 As you might have noticed, Elenlond has changed hands and is now under new management! If you have any questions, please direct them to DaringRaven! As for the rest of the announcements, including a season change, you can find them over here at the following link!

January 16, 2018 As you might have noticed, Elenlond has a new skin, all thanks to Mel! Don't forget to check out the new OTMs as well!

December 2, 2017 Winter has settled on Elenlond, bringing sleep for some and new life for others.

September 26, 2017 With the belated arrival of autumn come some interesting developments: new OTMs, a Town Crier and the release of the Elly Awards winners!

July 14, 2017 After a bit of forum clean-up, Elly Awards season has arrived! Head on over to make your nominations!

May 31, 2017 Summer has arrived and so has activity check! That's not all though – we also have some new OTMs for you and some staff changes!


WHAT IS ELENLOND?

Elenlond is an original free-form medieval fantasy RPG set on the continent of Soare and the Scattered Isles, which are located to the south in the Sea of Diverging Waters. The four chief nations of the western side of the world—Ashoka in northern Soare, Soto in western Soare, Morrim in eastern Soare, and Angkar, the largest of the Scattered Isles—continue to experience growth and prosperity since the fall of the Mianorite gods, although power struggles within the countries—or outside of them—continue to ensue.


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    Ashoka: In an otherwise peaceful times, Ashokans are beset with the relatively minor inconveniences of wandering undead and occasionally-aggressive giant rock worms. There has also been some controversy over the recent re-legalisation of human sacrifice.

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    Soto: The Sotoans have defeated the fey and liberated themselves from Méadaigh’s oppression! Preliminary efforts have been made at rebuilding the city of Madrid, which had been captured at the beginning of the war. However, the Sotoans are hindered from recovery famine. Méadaigh’s magic caused summer to persist in the Erth’netora Forest through the winter. Her power has been withdrawn and the plants die as if preparing for winter – even though it is now summer. The Sotoans must sustain off what food they can get, what creatures they can kill and what can be imported into the city from Morrim and Angkar.

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    Soaring; Cricket :D
    Topic Started: Nov 20 2011, 09:36 PM (659 Views)
    Alexandros
    Member Avatar
    One-Liner Wonder

    The big roan slowed to a walk, and finally stopped in the dusty road where the path broke away leading towards the coffin-maker's house, the rider resting his hands loosely in his lap, the reins wound around one bony wrist as he turned to peer at the small building, a tense lump of nerves and excitement roiling in his stomach at the day's activities. It was fairly early morning and aside from the occasional twittering bird swooping overhead it was mostly quiet, the wind gusting around the stallions' legs as he pawed impatiently at the ground in the bright sunlight.

    Alex had made sure to prepare well for today, the wagon had since gone on ahead taking the lightweight craft along with it, and most of the supplies needed, though it was likely they'd simply leave the wagon behind once they got going anyway, taking only what was needed. His eyes bright, he scanned the porch in hopes of seeing the woman but found nothing, not even the sound of her working at fixing the coffins together, nor her large hairy companion.

    Turning off the road, he rode slowly at an easy pace towards the house and stopped a short distance away, swinging one leg over and slipping from the saddle with a practiced movement, his plain dark brown coat flaring around his hips briefly before it settled again just above his knees as his boots thudded into the dirt. The sign above the door appeared to have been fixed, it no longer hung creaking from the remaining hinge. To all appearances it was deserted, though he'd half expected that, and for a moment stood squinting in the sunshine, shielding his eyes. It wasn't that he'd dressed up exactly, just neatened himself. Made more of an effort, shaved, and combed his hair, and wasn't running around half naked this time. He fiddled with the goggles dangling around his neck and patted the breast pocket of his coat, making sure the surprise was still tucked away safely.

    "Hello? Anyone home?"
    He left Spot standing with an affection pat on the flank, and approached the house, boots clunking as he climbed the steps and walked towards the work area, peering around the side of the house as he looked for the woman.

    Where is she? She said she doesn't like going inside so...

    "Cricket?"

    Biting his lip, he returned to standing in front of the door with his back to it, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully as Spot pricked his ears and turned that baleful flat eyed stare on him.
    If she were here then no doubt Hugo would have heard them and told her by now. He'd wait a moment, give them a chance. His excitement was making him jumpy, impatient, not that he could help it, half was anticipation of the rush of the wind in his face, the other was nerves that he'd screw it all up and do something terrible. He patted the breast pocket of his coat again, sighing with relief at the bundle. It seemed every five minutes he had to do that, just to reassure himself it was there.

    Calm. Everything will be fine.
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    In his boredom, Hugo had meandered off into the graveyard that seemed to constantly creep closer and closer to Cricket’s front door. He wandered around the headstones, pausing to peer up at a statue- it was an angel, standing solemnly overlooking the graveyard. He sat at it’s stone feet and did the same. From the hill he could see the somewhat far off house and the even farther off road. His ears were perked, aware of every nearby sound. So it was that, upon noticing the approach of the familiar war horse, he began to leisurely march back to his home.

    Cricket was right where he’d left her, asleep for the first time in days in her hammock, the blankets pulled up over her head, eyes shut tight. Usually she allowed herself the luxury of removing her mask, but this morning’s little nap wasn’t exactly planned. When Hugo arrived at the steps he said nothing, just moving over, biting the edge of the blanket and pulling it off her. There was a book still open on her chest, legs curled up a bit and her head tilted to one side. Her eyes were closed, breath soft.

    <She sleeps like the dead, when she sleeps at all.> Hugo informed Alexandros, nudging the edge of the net-bed to make it swing. Cricket blinked and murmured sleepily, “No’m’sleepy...”

    The grim, of course, would have none of that and he nudged the hammock again, more aggressively and she sat up with a heavy sigh, rubbing her eyes groggily. Her boots were in a pair under the hammock and even as she swung her feet from the hammock she leaned down and pulled them on. her attention shot up suddenly, blinking as if realizing he was there from the first time, “Oh- I’m sorry! Have you been here long?” She looked embarrassed, having hoped to be in better condition this time around

    Her black pants were tucked neatly into her brown boots and she quickly tugged at her gray shirt, making sure the straps fell in an even criss-cross on her back. Her gloves were on, too, she had fallen asleep after finishing the last of her work and had not bothered removing them. She stood quickly, sheepish as she rubbed the back of her neck. The book had fallen off her chest when she sat up, thumping sorrowfully down. It was bound in blue, a story about some unfortunate sailor or another.

    She ran her hand through her messy hair, smiling a little bit. She hadn’t been sure if he’d really come back, but now that he had excitement filled her chest. She looked at him and sensed for his own emotions, but blinked and said her thoughts out loud, not realizing they could be taken as either an insult or a compliment, “You look different.”

    Hugo however had fetched her staff from where it was leaning, dropping it at her feet and trotting down the steps, over to the road, turning around he barked loudly at them, pointed. Cricket laughed a little, “Sorry, he’s excited.... I’m excited too...” She felt flustered and she wasn’t sure why- and yet again there was that strange empty fluttering in her stomach.
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    Alexandros
    Member Avatar
    One-Liner Wonder

    As the hound appeared the engineer followed in silence, folded his arms and with an odd little smile on his lips, leaned his shoulder up against the wall, head tilted on one side as he watched her curled up in the net hammock, gently swinging. She looked so peaceful slumbering that he was content to let her be, though it seemed Hugo had other ideas. She didn't look so sorrowful with her face in repose, softened with sleep and peaceful.

    Still wearing the mask I see.

    His grey eyes sparkled with amusement as she started, just noticing him where he stood, relaxed and watchful. Not surprising, he was rather good at being inconspicuous, then again he'd had a fair amount of practice at it.

    "Morning, Princess."

    The smile deepened slightly at the corner of his mouth and he stretched lazily, watching her with one eye while the other closed. As if he'd wait all say, and wasn't tense with excitement fit to burst like a night-flower.

    "You looked so content napping, I didn't want to wake you. Although it took Hugo to discover you, I didn't even see you at first, hidden away like that."

    She still looked sleepy, her hair tousled and wearing the heavy gloves she used to work with, and a slight hesitancy entered his gaze as he scanned her over momentarily.
    "Thank you..?" He grinned, unsure whether it was a compliment or a question. If it was a question, he'd let her puzzle the change for herself. No doubt he'd be back to his messy half-assed appearance again within in the hour, he didn't seem capable of staying neat and tidy. Not that he hadn't tried, it just worked that way.
    "You know, if you're tired we can go in a while, I was quite enjoying watching you dreaming."
    Alex straightened up, then turned and placing hands in the pockets of his flared coat, sauntered around to the front of the house and loosed a shrill whistle, calling the warhorse over at a trot to the steps, sword-breaker bouncing jovially on his hip. He'd decided against the odds to wear it today, just in case. And the day before too.

    Standing on the steps he glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised at Cricket.
    "Ready to go, or do you need to sort anything..?"
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    ”Princess?” The title took Cricket off guard, brought color to her cheeks even as she rubbed the sleep from her tired eyes. She was typically exhausted, but even having received a few hours of sleep had been a treat. She looked a little sheepish as he spoke of how she slept, the blankets pulled over her head. That was partially the point, after all, to go unnoticed and thus remain unbothered by customers or the like. It made her feel safe, too, one of the few times she didn’t mind being completely surrounded.

    She tugged at the laces on the backs of her gloves with her bare fingers, making sure they were tight before she stood and leaned heavily on the staff Hugo brought her. “I meant it in a nice way.” She insisted, looking down, already feeling awkward as she explained her blunt statement. Hugo was impatiently barking now, yipping and growling.

    “No, I’d like to go now- I couldn’t go back to sleep if I wanted to. I don’t rest often. ” She explained, shy, pulling at the bottom of her shirt. It was partially due to her excitement and partially due to the unnatural way that even when faced with sheer exhaustion her body would refuse to slumber. Her eyes lingered on the sword breaker on his hip. She’d never seen such an odd blade- not that she’d seen many at all. Her own curved scythe blade hung harmless in her workshop, so rarely did she bother carrying it that it had begun rusting.

    As he moved way she walked behind him, her usual stagger all the way to the front of her house. His shrill whistle made he twitch a bit, not used to such loud high pitched sounds, but she felt a bit fearless as she approached Spot and held her hand out nervously to pet his nose. “Hello, Spot.” She told the horse, the same way she spoke to her unusual mutt.

    She looked over at the question and shook her head, “I’m ready.” She insisted, though just sort of stared at the saddle and then back at Alexandros, “Uhm...” She looked down then, not sure how exactly to state her query without coming off like a complete idiot. “How do I... get on?”

    <For godsakes.> Hugo’s voice complained in Alexandros head, the dogs black fur shiny in the sunlight as he flopped down with an exaggerated sigh. His ears twitched and Cricket’s faced reddened a little under the mask, “Don’t make fun of me!” She called to Hugo, who had obviously felt the need to make some wise crack at her expense before she looked back at Alexandros a bit sheepish.
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    Alexandros
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    One-Liner Wonder

    Noticing her glance at the weapon on his hip, he rested his hand on it with a languid smile and patted the leather sheath.
    "Just in case."
    He'd hoped it wouldn't put her off too much, but he wasn't going to leave without it. He'd already left Clarice behind to his discontentment, and if they ran into trouble he wouldn't be able to fight everything with his fists, much as the thought seemed just wonderful. He'd prefer to simply avoid any confrontation entirely. It was more there as a subtle threat to anyone willing to try anything stupid, a warning, than honestly intended for a real use.

    The warhorse nickered softly and nuzzled at Cricket's outstretched hand, making Alex's eyebrows nearly climb into his hair. The creature was usually bad tempered but he seemed to get on just fine with the woman, after his initial wariness before. Usually it took weeks just to get past that, and even then you'd be liable for a kicking or biting if you weren't careful. Alex himself still got bitten but here he was, behaving like a colt to his mother. The man shook his head, baffled, then chuckled.
    "Well well, seems you've got another admirer."

    He smiled a little at the awkwardness of the situation. Of course, she'd mentioned that she'd never ridden a horse, he was just playing a little silly game, theatrical. With a flourish he bowed and grinned, "My Lady! If you would allow me? I'll just get on all fours and you can use me for a stepping stool."
    Seeing the uncertainty though he stopped, ran his tongue over his lips with a slight touch of nerves, and shrugged.
    "Well, maybe not. Here, I'll lift you on. Spot, if you move I'll never forgive you."
    Beckoning her closer, he rested his hands on her hips, the faintest tinge of color in his cheeks as he glanced to the shaggy horse, watching them over his shoulder, and murmured, "Ready? Just swing your leg over. I won't let go until you're sure you're alright with it."
    With that, he lifted Cricket up, lighter than he'd expected.
    Spot snorted as if he considered the whole affair quite ridiculous and stamped a hoof in the dust.
    "Don't you dare, you bastard. Pardon me ma'am."
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    The mere fact that Spot liked her made Cricket feel accomplished, petting his velvety nose and smiled a little. Hugo’s exasperation however, set the smile from her face, as did the sudden prolonged realization that she hadn’t the foggiest of how to even mount a horse.

    His theatrics, however silly, just sort of made Cricket stare at him, face red from all the teasing she was currently receiving. She looked down at her boots, swallowing hard, maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to this, she seemed to be slowing everyone else down (the thought never crossed her mind that here ‘everyone’ had the meaning of an engineer, a horse, and a gargantuan dog).

    Still when he changed his tactics she nodded, realizing he’d been playing before she smiled weakly, moving closer and looking up at the perch she was supposed to somehow find her way onto. Hugo had sat up, head tilting a bit as he watched Alexandros’ hands on her torso. he waist was surprisingly small under her somewhat lose shirt.

    She looked back over her shoulder nervously and nodded her head a bit, biting her lip as she was suddenly whisked off her feet and it took more effort than most felt to get her leg over the back of the stallion. She looked around from the new vantage, a bit anxious, painful tense. Hugo resisted the urge to try and scare the horse, but finally barked loudly, rushing towards them a bit to see if the animal frightened easy. “Hugo!” She chastised a bit, heart pounding, afraid of how high up she was- more, how far down she would fall.

    Cricket’s eyes moved back to Alexandros and she fidgeted a bit in the saddle, nervous. “Ah...I don’t...what do I hold onto??” She asked him finally, giving up on independence. Her gaze lifted to Hugo who was growing increasingly frustrated. Her bangs fell into her red eyes, a little color on her face still.
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    Alexandros
    Member Avatar
    One-Liner Wonder

    Spot turned his head and rested that flat-eyed gaze on Hugo, almost as if to say 'You don't scare me.' He let out a low whicker, almost like a horsey chuckle, snorting hot air from his nose.

    "You can hold on to the reins, or the saddle if you like, or me, I'll be right behind you. One moment, coming up!"
    Only, he wasn't. As he stuck his foot in the stirrup, the big animal gave another of those little snickers, and danced forwards.
    "Spot!"
    Alex tried again, only for the warhorse to prance backwards this time.
    "Damnit, I'm warning you!"
    Spot almost rolled his eyes, tossing his hear, ears flicking back and forth as he danced again, leaving a perplexed engineer hopping after him.
    "Will you cut it out? Fine. No gallop."
    That cut it short and the beast stamped bad-temperedly, aiming a kick at his master, who simply sidestepped the powerful motion, shaking his head.

    Too predictable.

    This time he was successful in mounting, pulling himself up and over in one fluid motion to sit behind Cricket, then reached around her and took the reins in his hands. It was a different sort of experience for him, being in the saddle. He loved to ride, the pair of them so used to one another they moved more as one creature than one sitting upon the other's back, and he used his knees more than the reins to guide the horse, barely noticing the warmth that was Cricket resting against his chest.
    "We'll start out at a trot so you can get used to the rhythm, then we'll pick up speed."
    He could have laughed at her tenseness, but it only bought back his first terrifying experience of riding with his father, though it had faded once he'd become accustomed to it, to be replaced by joy and exhilaration. Perhaps it was that love of speed that made him want to fly, to go so fast and to where no horse could ever feasibly reach.

    "Don't worry," he murmured just loud enough that she could hear without it carrying, "I won't let you fall. We're going into wilder territory, if you get thirsty don't hesitate to say so, there's a water skin tied by your left knee."
    At that he gave Spot the gentlest nudge and started him off at a rolling walk, gradually bringing him to a trot by the time they'd reached the road, leaning over to wink at Hugo.
    "All set, nugget? Let's go!"
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    When the horse danced away from it’s owner, Cricket’s heart jumped into her throat and she grabbed the saddle and shut her eyes tight. Every time the horse moved she was certain he was going to change his opinion of her and rear. How could anyone be so comfortable so high up and at the mercy of such a powerful beast. She made a little anxious sound, “U-umm...” She felt helpless, but her anxiety was relieved when Spot finally stopped moving. “Don’t kick him, I like him.” she told the horse, more to calm herself then to chastise him as she reached down and pet his neck a bit, to reassure herself.

    When she leaned back however she found a warm body behind her. Blushing a little she looked over her shoulder and smiled weakly. This was better- far less terrifying, with someone else astride the warhorse with her. She settled back after a moment, leaning against his chest and her hands finding one of his forearms to cling to.

    <I’ve BEEN ready.> Came Hugo’s indignant reply, though he was impressed by the horses reaction to his charge. He trotted along side the equestrian, his size an advantage in keeping up as was his runner’s physique.

    The motion of the horse walking made Cricket fell tense and tossed about, eyes closed a bit she tried to just relax and let her body sway with it slightly like Alexandros did. Her grip on him was tight, not painful, just dependent. When she opened her eyes she spoke softly and smiled weakly “This isn’t so bad.”

    <She’s been looking forward to this.> Hugo informed Alexandros, and then went on, <She wouldn’t shut up. Normally it’s silence but not for the last day- no, the whole time digging graves it was a cross between ‘do you think he’ll come back?’ and ‘I’m hideous, I wish I had more clothes’.> his "voice" went up a pitch when he mocked cricket and he gave them a doggish grin, tongue lulling out, <I hold you fully accountable for the torture I’ve been through.>

    In front of him Cricket had to let go of his arm to fidget with her mask, pulling it back into place and tightening the buckle that went around her head before her hands found where they’d been before, glancing back at him a bit. She was using her empathy now, curious as to how he felt and hoping it was nothing resembling regret or disgust. She spoke after the stretch of quiet, "Are we going far?"
    Edited by Cricket, Nov 21 2011, 12:33 AM.
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    Alexandros
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    One-Liner Wonder

    Trotting along, a smile crept its way onto Alex's face as he tilted his head as if listening to the hound walking alongside them, then burst into laughter, eyes dancing.

    I'm terribly sorry for the trouble, what do you recommend I do about her then? And what do you mean, hideous? Frankly I think she's lovely, but don't tell her I said that.

    He realized that his spontaneous mirth and the excitement still nestling in him was close to spilling out and tried to suppress the laughter, though it only served to make his chest shake as he grinned like a madman, trying to contain it. At least it was distracting him from the fact he had a woman near enough in his lap. That alone was highly distracting despite all the excitement and the contentment at being able to ride. He couldn't really help the attraction. Of course he could have had her simply sit behind him but he wasn't sure that would help the problem, and at least this way he could stop her slipping out of the saddle when they increased pace.

    A slightly chagrined expression stuck to his face as he tried to focus on something other than the woman in front of him and how close they were, and she simply opened the way with the question, to his relief it gave him something else to think about.
    He glanced up, checking the sun, still early as it was.
    "Not really. We're already on the outskirts, we're going a little way ahead to meet someone and they'll take Spot and help get the skimmer ready. Just far enough that we're not going to be catching attention from the city. So, how about a little jog?"
    He wound the reins around his right hand, slipping the left one around Cricket's waist to stop her from sliding away.

    Keep up!

    Laughing he stood in the stirrups and whooped, Spot obviously knew what this meant and dancing on his hind legs, he reared, pawing at the air, then rocketed away down the road, the engineer hitting the saddle again and leaning forward, his braid streaming behind them as he guided the beast with his knees. The wind in his face was exhilarating, causing adrenaline to rush through his veins, the mad grin fixed on his face as they rushed at breakneck speed down the road and towards the open desert.
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    Amusement danced in Hugo’s piercing eyes as he glanced over at them, trotting to keep up with Spot’s rolling walk, he had a particular playfulness in his spirit today, bounding along with bright eyes and his canid grin on his long face. <About her? There isn’t much you can do now!- and she wouldn’t listen if I did tell! You’ve not yet seen her face, boy. Not all of it.> He responded, and there was a brief pause before he went on, <But I think she’s beautiful, mask or no. >

    Cricket had turned her head a bit in surprise as he suddenly burst into laughter. Her eyes widened a moment before she just smiled in response, accusing, “What did Hugo say?” Still she turned back, looking ahead, eyes closed as she gave herself over to her empathy. A steady blush crept across her face as anything he felt filled her from head to toe, a light shiver running down her back and she bit her lip. Well she hadn’t expected that.

    She looked back at him again, starting to relax and feel confident with the steady pace they’d set. His smile brought another one to her face even as she listened intently to his explanation, nervous at the last mention of a ‘jog’. “U-uhm-” His arm curled around her and she pressed back against him, crying out in surprise as the warhorse reared.

    Hugo lowered himself to the ground in the brief pause, and as soon as the horses front legs made contact with the earth, the dog took off, running ahead. Cricket’s heart had flown into her throat and her hand had flown to the arm around her middle, laying over it to pull it tight as if afraid he’d let go. When he lowered, and the horse’s pace changed, she lowered herself too, pressed back against him a bit. The motion was a bit hard to adjust to but in no time she had calmed again, letting out a breath she’d been holding since Spot had reared.

    Her eyes chanced back at him again, his excitement filling her veins and making her laugh, grip still tight, holding his arm around her, but she relaxed more in her mirth. The wind pulled at her mop of untamable black hair, and she reached back with the hand not clutching his and pushed the strands to one side, making sure they stayed out of his face as the scenery whipped past them. She was amazed, her own emotions in full force. It was exhilarating- especially to someone who had not been able to run on their own two feet for year.

    Hugo’s size gave him an advantage at keeping up and he howled as he ran, a cold bone chilling sound that scared a flock of screaming crows from their path. “We’re going so fast- can he go faster?” Cricket asked Alexandros, turning her head as she spot to him. The masked section of her features was towards the man, her red eyes full of light. “This is amazing.” She leaned her head innocently against him a moment before she turned back fully to the front.

    Hugo had his head low as they ran off into the desert, his black fur making him a dark silhouette as his eyes traced the area for the human marker of their destination. As much as he enjoyed running he would enjoy watching them operate this contraption even more.
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    Alexandros
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    One-Liner Wonder

    Racing along just short of a gallop, sand flying up from his hooves as they left the path, the warhorse was thoroughly enjoying racing the hound along, and was only too willing when Alex grinned, responding to Cricket's question by tightening his grip around her and urging the beast faster.
    Spot whinnied, flattening his ears and stretching himself out as his powerful muscles bunched and picked up more speed, throwing them forwards as he ran parallel to the road in a full out sprint for a time, always trying to outrun Hugo. Though the competition was worthy Alex soon tugged lightly on the reins, allowing them to slow as they turned and left the road behind them, the wagon he'd spotted growing closer.
    All he said as the wind pulled at their hair and clothing was, "Wait until you board the skimmer!"
    Spot panted, sides heaving and snorting loudly as sand got into his nose.
    "Easy boy. Gotta know when enough is enough, you'll run yourself into the ground."
    Stepping high proudly the horse tossed his mane and resumed their pace at a light canter, resting a little from the sudden gallop out into the desert.

    Alex loosened his grip on Cricket as they approached, the woman sitting on the back of the wagon pulled by a dappled grey mare, crosslegged and watching them with dark unfathomable eyes.
    Her smooth tanned face broke into a smile as she stood, dark curls falling over her shoulder as she slid from the back of the wagon and approached, though pointedly didn't come too close as Spot bared his teeth and clicked them at her. She twisted her lips with distaste then turned to the couple astride his back and raised a hand in greeting, her voice low and musical.
    "Well now! So this is who you turned me down for? Tch.."
    Alex murmured just loud enough so that Cricket could hear, "My cousin. Well, second cousin, distantly related."
    The woman was scrutinizing Cricket with curiosity, and more than a little jealousy as she waited for them to dismount.
    "Arella, thank you again. I don't think I could have trusted Michaelangelo to not mess with it."
    Arella waved a hand dismissively and moved to start uncovering the craft as Alex slipped from Spot's back and offered his hand to Cricket.
    "Don't mind her...she's just annoyed I didn't ask her first." He winked, handing her down as she came back, kicking sand, her delicate face sullen. "Which reminds me...you'll be needing these." He fished in his coat and bought out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper, awkwardly handing them over before hurriedly fishing a horse brush from one of the saddlebags and turning his attentions to giving Spot a quick rub down.

    Arella hovered near Cricket, her gaze flicking between her and the engineer's back suspiciously before she asked, "Are you excited? You are so lucky, I've been asking him since he first got here and all I get are 'maybe', 'perhaps'." Her gaze lingered on his back for a moment then back to Cricket, a little cold, scrutinizing.
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    The arm around Cricket made her feel uncharacteristically fearless, eyes closing as the horse ran faster and faster. Hugo too seemed lost in the race, muscles tense, legs stretching out, pulling him fast and hard across the earth. When Spot slowed, however, so did Hugo, the mutt’s ears going back as he eyed the wagon and scented the air. He stopped just short of them, letting Spot pass him as his icy eyes scrutinized her and her lowered himself, hunkered like a lion in the tall grass.

    Cricket peered anxiously down at the far away ground, but she had an audience now, so she took his hand and put on a brave face, swinging her leg back around and stumbling when her legs met, the bad on giving way so she had grab him a moment to stay up, eyes turning to this new individual. “...’lo..” Cricket said with a small wave, blinking at the package but not opening it yet. She limped around to Spot’s front and, now unafraid of the warhorse she stroked his long face, just a small token of appreciation to the animal who had let her ride on it’s back.

    She turned back towards “I’m Cricket... it’s nice to met you.” She told the other female politely as she looked down at the package in her hands and began to carefully unwrap the brown paper. “I’m very lucky... But I’m sure you’ll get a chance too, he said it’s dangerous. Probably figures he can’t mess me up anymore than I am.” She paused in her unwrapping to look up, catching the wistful gaze and looking at Alexandros as well, head tilting, using her empathy on this second cousin.

    Cricket was filled with a sudden agonizing sense of insecurity, and it manifested itself in the way she lowered her head and reached one hand up, fidgeting with her mask while she teetered on her good leg. “Alexandros is brilliant, don’t you think?” She glanced up again, this time back up at Arella with her wine colored eyes. The package was only half open in her hands.

    Hugo took that moment to emit a startlingly ferocious growl, he had prowled up behind Arella and was now behind her, not crouched to leap but showing her his teeth regardless. Blue eyes flashing with something akin to bloodlust. He didn’t like the change in body language Cricket showed, as if she was submissive to this other female. Cricket’s eyes widened and she lifted her head, blinking, “Hugo, no, be nice! This is Alexandros’ family.” She told the grim.

    Hugo stopped showing his teeth but moved over to Cricket and let her scratch him behind the ears, “This is Hugo. ” She told Arella, though looked back at the package in her hands as if just remembering and tearing away the last bits of paper to reveal what was inside the parcel.
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    Alexandros
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    The warhorse nuzzled the woman's hand affectionately as she petted his nose, turning his head to give Alex a flat stare then returning to Cricket, oddly good natured now after the run and the scrubbing down. The man in question glanced over at Cricket and spared her a wink before returning to brushing the horse down and checking his hooves.
    "Kick me and you'll regret it."
    The horse whickered softly as if laughing to himself and Alex called out, "there's some apples in the beg next to the water skin if you want to give him one. Gunpowder can have some too." He gestured at the dainty dappled mare hitched to the wagon, nuzzling at the sand for any scrap of vegetation that might be hiding there.

    Arella glanced at the package in Crickets' hands, one eyebrow going up as she listened to the diminutive female, considering the odd name as her smouldering gaze scanned her from head to toe, settling on the mask with a touch of curiosity and disdain, as if comparing the two of them.
    "Indeed? Maybe neither of us mind if he messes our hair a little."
    She chuckled darkly, resting her fists on her hips and pursing her lips as she returned her gaze to him, and as if feeling the heat on him, he half turned and glanced over his shoulder at them questioningly.
    "Brilliant...but incredibly stupid when it comes to seeing what's right in front of him."
    Her eyes flicked back to Cricket and a slight teasing smile hovered there. "You have no idea what you're up against."
    The sound of Hugo snarling startled the noblewoman and she turned, eyes widening and sharpening into a glare as she faced the hound, hesitant and a little fearful until Cricket called him back, and she shot the pair of them a distasteful look as Alex began to wander towards them.
    Arella spun on her heel and clambered into the back of the wagon again, pulling the tarp off of the light craft, all ropes and cloth bundled on top of wood, and began unlatching the sides so that they folded down with a noisy clatter on their hinges.

    "Bee in your bonnet, Arella?"
    The engineer teased with an easy smile, before turning it on Cricket.
    "Are you alright? You look a bit pale. Oh! Are they alright? Do you like them? You liked mine so much I...well..." he looked embarrassed a moment, grinned then shoved his hands into his pockets, turning to look at the folded craft.
    "H-hey! Be careful with that, it's very fragile!"
    He waved his hands, stepping quickly towards the wagon where Arella sought to push the skimmer off the back and onto the sand, firing a sharp retort at him that had his eyebrows rising in surprise, glancing between the two women with curiosity.
    "Well how else are you supposed to get it down, woolhead? It's not going to fly itself!"
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    Cricket had been quite happy to stumble over to the apples and hold one out for Spot uncertainly. She didn’t really know what to do but she figured the horse would at least be able to steer her right as she held one out to Arella too, assuming the other would want to tend to her own horse.

    At the comment Arella made however Cricket’s eyes fell down to the earth, feeling a bit smaller by the minute. Why had she wanted to do this again? Perhaps Alexandros was here out of pity- maybe he was humoring the disfigured girl for his own karma rather than out of some interest. She shook her head a bit, reminding herself of the little empath instance on their ride over. Her mouth found a little venom though as Arella spoke of Alexandros’ obliviousness, followed by a challenge.

    Her head lifted, red eyes staring into Arella’s and she said, voice not wavering one bit though it was pointedly calm, “Maybe he the problem is that he sees exactly what is in front of him, hm?” She smiled and felt the bravery wane, replaced by her previous insecurity, scratching behind Hugo’s ears.

    Upon remembering her gift however, her attention turned downward and her eyes widened. She turned the goggles over in her hands as she had done his before, drinking in every detail before she pulled them on and let them rest around her neck the way his were, all while smiling, “They’re perfect.” She might have mustered the courage to give him a hug, too, had he not dashed off to help with the aircraft.

    She followed a bit slower than the rest, missing the long staff she had left at home while watching Hugo dash past her. He put his paws up on the wagon, making it creak and he growled at Arella again, very quiet, as if trying to hide the sound, all while speaking in Alexandros’ mind, <Don’t forget Persephone’s leg, it pains her.>

    Not a peep of complaint passed the girls lips though as she moved over, looking the cart and felt another surge of insecurity at how completely useless she was at the moment. She fumbled a bit with the mask, tightening the buckle and shifting it to make sure it stayed in place as she asked, “Can I help at all?” She was still rather rattled by Arella, not used to being around other women let alone being in a sort of competition with them.

    Hugo took the moment to lean very close to Arella and say in telepathy to the woman, voice mocking, <I wonder why you didn’t get a present. How very strange.> After just a half second of silence, Hugo’s breath hitched and he sneezed on her very, very pointedly. His tailed wagged and he trotted away after the allegedly innocent action. Cricket’s hands had wandered down from her mask to fumble with the gift, just touching the goggles made her smile.
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    Alexandros
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    Alex stood for a moment, frowning as he looked between the two, then half stepped back as if he was avoiding getting hit by the crossfire, and moved back towards Cricket, offering her his arm, eyes dancing with pleasure, his hair messed from the wind tugging it out of the braid on the ride and cheeks flushed with excitement still.
    "I'm so glad, I thought you'd appreciate having something to keep the sand out of your eyes at least. Plus, I like the color of them. Can't see them if you're having to squint now can I?" He said the last just enough so that it wouldn't carry to the irritated woman standing on the cart.

    Something seemed to have irked her anyway, she was standing with eyes narrowed and suspicious, and from their time together he could tell she was seething about whatever it was, flicking her loose curls back over her shoulder and sniffing loudly. He resisted the urge to shrug, smiling at Hugo then lifting one end of the craft gently down onto the sand after letting go of Cricket again, Arella simply dropping the other end off the edge of the cart and causing him to wince.
    He turned away from the cart and held out a hand to Cricket, grinning again with excitement at the prospect of flying.
    "Of course you can! We need to keep the sails from lifting while I load our supplies onto it, it's not very windy right now but I don't want to take the chance that it'll run off without us."

    Arella glanced down at the hound, her lip curling as he sneezed on her boot, and aimed a savage kick at him, only stopping herself when she saw that the others were turning in their direction, and unperturbed by the intrusive voice, snapped back at him, I don't need to be bought like a two-bit whore. He knows quality when he sees it, mongrel.
    With that she retreated to the other side of the cart beside the ship and folded her arms, looking it over with a critical eye.
    "Lexie, be a dear and help me down?"
    The engineer looked up from smiling at Cricket fiddling with her new goggles, and made a grimace of distaste.
    "Don't call me that! You can get down yourself...a little sand on your ass won't hurt."
    "Yes, quite, gives you something to stare at hmm? I was giving you the opportunity to be a gentleman."
    A tinge of frustration struck a chord in him as he hovered, awkward and feeling caught up in something just beyond him, being tugged one way and another.
    "Sorry Cricket...one moment...I'll never hear the end of this..."
    Stalking to the edge of the wagon he grabbed at Arella's hand roughly, looping one arm around her waist and near dragging her off the bed of the wagon, depositing her onto the sand with the slightest frown, which only proved to widen her smile, pressed together, until he released her and turned away, hunkering down over the craft, missing the triumph on her face.

    Bloody women! No...that's not fair, I asked her to come, she didn't have to be party to Arella and her sodding games...

    He sighed, resting one boot on the rope that would winch the sail up and checked that it was still firm in the loop, reaching out a hand to Cricket and trying to smooth his trouble expression.
    "Here, if you could just..hold this one down. Arella you can get the other, then I can get the supplies."
    Edited by Alexandros, Nov 22 2011, 01:32 AM.
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    The comment about her eyes made Cricket smile a little, nodding a bit and looking down shyly. She flinched in sink with Alexandros as the other end was dropped so carelessly, a sure sign she had been using her empathy to try and get out of feeling so self-conscious. Her eyes lifted a bit and her smile matched his own, excited as well at the prospect of being airborne. After all, if it was as much fun as riding had been...

    Cricket’s eyes watched Hugo’s actions with something between amusement and sheer anxiety. He meant well of course- but all she could really feel was fear that her dog’s actions would put her out of favor. No one is perfect, though, and she conveniently neglected chastising Hugo for his vindictive sneeze. <You're right. Who would pay two bits for a catty whore like you?>

    She paused though as Hugo snapped his teeth at Arella with the sickening sharpness of a bear trap. He had luckily not actually lunged, just a threat as she moved her leg. He moved back to Cricket in mere moments, ducking his head under her arm so that she could lean on him (it was one of many advantages to owning a dog the size of a small horse). “It’s no big deal.” She told him quietly in response to whatever private pep talk he had felt the need to give his friend.

    Her eyes lifted when Alexandros apologized and she smiled a bit, “Don’t apologize for being a gentleman.” She told him lightly, though found herself looking back at Hugo during the display that followed his half dragging his relative down. Cricket frowned a little but moved over to his side when beckoned, taking what was held out to her while she kept her eyes downcast. Her heart had fallen out of her chest and was sitting somewhere near her navel, much to Hugo’s dismay.

    He sat down on the sands, watching Cricket and glancing at Arella with icy hardness. He had the sudden desire to taste human flesh but resisted, assuming the sudden mauling of his second cousin might put even more of a damper on Alexandros’ mood. He just heaved another heavy sigh and watching.

    Cricket had settled into silence now though, just doing as he asked of her, eyes lifting up every so often with a particular fondness she didn’t really understand, only knew she felt. Her eyes finally flicked at Arella, though for no longer than a moment and went back down to her boots. She wanted to tell Alexandros how excited she felt but was too self conscious with the judgmental audience.
    Edited by Cricket, Nov 22 2011, 01:58 AM.
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    Alexandros
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    One-Liner Wonder

    "Sometimes I wish I wasn't."

    Disheartened by the tension in the air the engineer trudged back to Spot, waiting patiently where he'd been left, and started rummaging through the saddlebags and removing the more important items. Well, what he deemed important, trying not to think about the sharp words and smoldering looks Arella had given him. Mixed signals, it seemed that was all he'd been getting from everyone lately.
    Finally he found the small satchel he'd been hunting, it merely contained bandages, some needles and thread, and a cleansing salve to ward away infection. Not much and he hoped fervently that they'd not even need it, but he'd bring it anyway for the sake of carefulness.
    That and the water skin, and some food, simple fare really wrapped in oil paper, including some meat for Hugo in case he got hungry as well. Lastly the leather scrip he slung over his shoulder and belted at the waist. His tools of course, he'd take them with him even if they weren't needed. They were like a part of him, not to be left behind.

    Patting the big horse on the withers he leaned his head for a moment against that of Spot, and closed his eyes, loosing a heavy sigh.
    "Wish me luck old friend, if we get this right, next time we might really fly."
    Spot nickered gently and nibbled at the engineer's ear, and chuckling he pushed him off with a gentle slap on the nose.
    "Enough of that, behave yourself. If you bite anyone, well..just make sure you don't draw blood. Come on now."
    He walked around to the front of the cart, the large animal trailing after him, and dropping the things onto the sand, began hitching Spot to wagon beside Gunpowder, who flicked her ears at him and pawed the ground impatiently until he rubbed her nose too.
    The sensation of being watched made him look back to the skimmer, noticing both of them waiting, he gave the horses each one last pat then made his way back to them once he'd picked up the things again.

    The skimmer itself was like a small boat, minus the rudder, mast or wheel, with a sail angling forward and out to each side, held by the lashings to the deck where they could be tied once they were full to heavy steel brackets. Simple enough. There were also thick leather straps fastened in the same manner to both the forward and the rear, the latter being positioned higher so that the person manning the sails could see over them, narrow as they were.
    Alex hunkered down, pulling open a small hatch below where he would have to stand, and placing the things inside he slammed the little door down and latched it. He'd need to be calm down if he was going to call them a breeze to lift them at least, or make it change direction so that they could get the lift they needed. Easier said than done of course.

    "Almost ready. Cricket, with me. I'll show you how we're going to do this."
    He reached out, offering her his hand again, though his face was grim now, serious, his eyes troubled as he sought to order everything in his head, list the possible wrongs and how to resolve them, barely even glancing at the other woman where she sat easily on the sail, pinning it down, apparently examining her nails though her eyes often flitted to either one of them.
    He'd made sure to stuff some padding into the hollow where the passenger was meant to sit, but he was still unsure on it being comfortable. The leather straps that they could either hold onto or tuck their hands under were secure though, as was the optional one to go across the lap, holding them down.
    "You sit here, hold onto these. You don't have to wear the belt here across your lap if it makes you uncomfortable, I just used it for holding small cargo...ah, and keep your feet inside the vehicle at all times! You can push them against the rest here if you like." He motioned at the small ridge he'd used to keep the cargo from flying off the prow last time with a slight nod.
    "That's about it..."
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    Watching the way Alexandros interacted with Spot had an odd way of soothing Cricket, replacing her anxiety at the other woman with an almost giddy fondness. It made the way she treated her own pet seem less strange, for one, and for another- well, it just seemed like he had an awfully big heart. It made his line of work seem almost strange, but then again, were anyone to bother actually knowing Cricket they would probably feel the same way.

    She tugged anxiously at the bows above her elbows, making sure her gloves were laced tightly to her arms and fidgeting with her boot a little too. She wasn’t about to advertise it but she had tucked her hip flask into it, aware that she might need a little liquid courage. She resisted the urge however, deciding to leave the liquor inside untouched. She wanted to say something to Arella, but an apology just wouldn’t form and she had no desire to unleash another cutting remark. So she opened her mouth, glancing over at the bored-looking woman, but merely closed it and let them remain in stoney silence.

    When he moved back over she just nodded and slid her hand into the one he offered, still wearing the elbow-length gloves she typically reserved for work, the fingers of which had been cut off on a whim. She could feel the anxiety though and she squeezed his hand even as she followed him, thumb sliding over the back of his hesitantly as if toe reassure him.

    She sat down where he indicated and just listened to all the instructions with rapt attentions, pressing her boots against the ridge he indicated while one hand slid under the leather strap to hold on firmly. Her free had checked her mask again and pushed the goggles up so they rested more readily at her temples. Her hair stuck out a little, though not anywhere as much as his did. She nodded her head as he gave her the last little run down and she finally piped up, “Relax, Alexandros, I trust you.” Her smile was soft, reassuring.

    Outside of the boat Hugo whine a little, ears laid back as he eyed the contraption Cricket had just settled in on. He paced a large circle around it, leaving immense paw prints in the sand with every anxious step. Finally he just told the captain of the aircraft, <Be careful. She’s already been dead once>
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    Alexandros
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    Alex drew confidence from the simple warmth of her hand, the slight squeeze bringing the faintest smile to hover around his lips, trying to capture that feeling and hold it even as she released contact to settle into the craft.

    Courage.

    "Thank you."
    He mimicked her motion, pushing the goggles hanging around his neck up onto his forehead and shoving his already messy hair in random directions, then looked across to the other woman and jerked his head to the side. Swiftly she got to her feet and moved off of the sail, catching his arm lightly as they passed, her dark fingers plucking at the material of his coat.
    "Come back in piece this time, yes? Mother would...I would be most displeased to know the jackals had carried bits of you off for dinner."
    His eyes softened at that, and though he shrugged her off he murmured, "I'll be careful. Take care of Spot for me."

    Right. Calm. Reach out and find it...

    The troubled look entered his eyes again as he stepped up onto the back of the skimmer, flexed his slender fingers and briefly checked that his tools were all there, pulling the goggles down and tightening them once they were over his eyes. He snapped the tinted lenses over the top with a finalized 'click' and scuffed the soles of his soft boots on the smooth decking beneath his feet, checking that they gripped and showed enough resistance as he tried to drag them across.

    Good enough.

    Deftly he managed the roped that held the sails, hoisting them up to full one after the other and looping the ropes through the brackets. He'd have to come up with a better method for controlling the winching later, after all, not everyone would have the strength needed to hoist those ropes if ever his creation made it out there. The sails rustled slightly in the gentle breeze, blowing inwards as they were already facing into the wind, waiting as he pulled on a pair of thick gloves with rough palms for gripping.

    "Ready Hugo? Arella, keep the horses calm, the last thing you need is for them to bolt."

    The woman rolled her eyes, stepping back and folding her arms after a quick glanced over the shoulder at the beasts, watching the odd contraption with curiosity.

    If she's hurt you can eat my corpse Hugo. Deal?

    His grip tightened on the ropes as he took a deep breath, his gaze becoming vague as he seemed to see past all that was sand before them, waiting to be crossed. It didn't matter, because for him it simply...wasn't there. It was a backdrop to what he was looking for. He needed to relax but couldn't find himself able, anxiety and excitement coiled like a snake in his belly. Through half lidded eyes, he searched, waited.

    Arella started, dropping her hands to her sides as a slight shift in the wind cast tiny dust devils past her legs.
    "Oh no, why don't you just turn it around? You shouldn't meddle with that, it's dangerous! Alexandros! Stop it!" There was fear in her voice, her eyes wide she made as if to step forwards and grab the ropes from him but a sharp look, piercing through her made her stop, paralyzed in her tracks.
    "Get back! I know what I'm doing."
    She shuddered at what she saw there, something else, raw and alive, using him as a channel. The visits had stopped when they were children after he'd discovered he could do it. Not the Naming, but the channeling.

    The wind suddenly changed, the sails filling out, though not fully, and the craft shifted, shuddered and halted again.
    "Please Alex!"
    He laughed as he found the word again, more alive than he'd felt in weeks, like liquid life flowing through him as he said it, an unintelligible sound that wriggled from the ears, unwilling to be caught. Commanding.
    "Hold on."

    He called the wind, and the wind came.
    The sails billowed, the light craft was whisked easily from the sand and leaped into the air, the bottom hissing as it plowed through a small dune and throwing sand everywhere, bouncing back into the air as the wind behind it increased, and he pulled the sails out to their full capacity, the muscles in his arms straining to hold it up as the wind threatened to tear it from his grip. He grunted softly, easing up as they left the ground and the craft began dancing lightly over the dunes, letting the rope slide against his palm and the left sail becoming slack, letting them turn sharply, the wind following behind them, whistling it's own tune to their dance.
    With it he felt his spirit lift until it too was soaring, a triumphant laugh leaving his lips as grinning he felt the air rushing at them, carrying them with it across the sands and shouting over the roar of the wind.
    "It's working!"
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    Her hand lingered on the goggles a moment when he imitated the motion, watching him walk away. She shifted her had a bit, adjusting her grip on the leather strap that was her safety precaution. Her heart was fluttering, she could feel the muscle beating like an angry hummingbird in her chest. Hugo was watching them prepare to take off with his ears twitching. His muzzle winkled in distaste as his sensitive hearing caught Arella’s words, but Cricket just turned her face politely away. She had no claim to Alexandros after all, so she had no right to feel that heavy sensation in her chest, right?

    Her free had fumbled with her mask again, pressing it against the disfigurement she so adamantly hid. Once he saw it he would likely not darken her door way again- her thoughts were dragged from her melancholy contemplation when Alexandros spoke again. Her eyes flicked up to him while on the sand Hugo offered a short sharp bark in agreement. <I’ll hold you to that, Alex.>

    Cricket pulled the goggles down over her mask then, mimicking his actions from before as she brushed her hair back nervously. There was an off fluctuation in energy, the air’s motion shifting. Hugo laid his ears back but his head tilted, sizing Alexandros up- he hadn’t expected any more surprises from the engineer, and this one in particular had him a bit anxious, especially when Arella’s voice broke the concentrated quiet.

    Red eyes flicked up as well, what was danger dangerous? Her head turned, scanning the area and fixing finally on the sails, feeling the shifting air. He knows magic? The revelation was intriguing! There were very few mages in Eldahar, after all. She had no time to linger on her astonishment as he snapped back at Astella. Her pleading was ignored- but Cricket placed her faith in her new friend.

    Hold on? Her grip went white-knuckled on the strap as the sails suddenly filled, eyes widening as Skimmer moved. Her breath caught in her throat, sand spraying before the little shift jerked again and moved more skyward. Her eyes sought the area around, intrigued by the motion but more intrigued still as he maneuvered his exprimental craft with such ease, the rope sliding against his palm, sharp turn making her hold her breath while the wind sang around them.

    She closed her eyes a moment, reveling in that free movement. It was smoother than riding on spot, less controlled. His laughter made her smile, made her look back at him and laugh as well, overjoyed at the overwhelming freedom flying made her feel. “Of course it’s working!” Came her response, grip still tight, eyes lingering on him a moment while that smile refused to leave her face. Hugo’s ears however laid flat, a sick feeling of dread plaguing him with growing intensity.

    “This is incredible!” Cricket said mostly to herself as the ship was whisked too and fro. There was a sudden deadening silence though, her grip slackened a moment and then held on tighter than before, pupils contracting to pin-pricks and then expanding again. She shook away the premonition, filling her breath with the air, looking out over the dunes again. Nothing bad would happen, right? Nothing would go wrong...

Hugo’s icy eyes glanced over at the woman he’d been left with, tail limp, ears back, but he asked her with feigned boredom, <Has he ever crashed that thing before?>


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    Alexandros
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    He knew he was getting tired when he nearly missed grabbing the rope again and hoisting the sail back up so that they shot forward, faster than a horse in full sprint, but should he let it go the merciless wind would probably snatch them up and pull them away with it.

    Steady...ease the port and let's land...we know it works just as well with-

    There was a shrieking noise, a harsh cawing as something white and feathered careened into his shoulder, clawing at his face. Instinctively he let go of the ropes and flailed, trying to get it away from his face, his goggles loose as the strap broke, trailing down his chest. His mouth tasted of nothing but feathers and blood, the air suddenly full of the sound of screeching, making his ears ring.
    His heart leapt into his chest as he felt the deck fall away from his feet, eyes widening in panic as his hand snatched at the ropes, tangling himself as his feet thudded heavily onto the wood.

    Confusion was rife, it was hard to pick out what exactly was going on. It seemed a flock of these angry white birds with their narrow beaks and sharp talons has taken his ship for a large predator and were proceeding to attack it, tearing rents in the sails and just about anything else they could latch themselves onto.
    Cursing he flailed with his free arm, smacking roughly at anything unlucky enough to get in the way, sand flying into his eyes as the small craft wavered and hit the top of a dune.
    The wind wasn't abating either, and he'd since lost control, the channeling leaving him with nothing but the creeping fatigue that always came after directing a raw element. Throwing a feathered fiend from his line of sight again, his eyes widened and he yelled, trying to loose the rope tangled around his hand to initiate a sharp turn. It would be close, and with so little time...
    No help for it now.
    "Cricket! Jump!"

    Right ahead of them was a small oasis, one of the many dotted around the Eldharian desert, and they were already too close for comfort, the skimmer grinding sand against its shallow hull as it plowed onwards. Near enough to the ground that a fall would leave them rolling, but safe, and likely uninjured. The birds seemed to realize the craft was going down and lifted back to the air, their screeching mass dispersing in a cloud of feathers and raucous catcalls.

    Shit...I'm not going to make it.

    Panic gripping him he began twisting and tugging savagely at the ropes tangled around his hand and lower arm, gritting his teeth, free hand searching for the knife he kept on his person while fighting to keep his balance.

    The woman stood shading her eyes from sun. After they'd vanished over the highest dune blocking their view, a tight feeling had begun to wind up in her chest. Arella glanced over at Hugo, then without a word started towards the crest, an unspoken urgency lending her some speed.

    They should have come back by now.
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    Cricket closed her eyes once more, just enjoying the feeling of the wind against her goggled face, one hand held up a little, feeling the way the wind pulled across her fingers, dragged her palm back until she tilted it forward. Never had she questioned the currents of the air, but in his presence she felt a sudden curiosity, a sudden-

    jolt of panic as a screeching made her eyes fly open, an angry curved beak drawing blood from the hand she had held out. She withdrew it and slapped at the bird sharply, only to feel another set of sharp talon scratching at the uncovered side of her face, tearing at her cheek with angry screams. She cried out, not a scream so much as a startled gasped, swinging her arm in a wide arc across her body. The birds cleared off only to come screaming back, assaulting the ship and Alexandros.

    His voice cut through the surprise that had clouded her mind, one sharp order that she did not hesitate in completing. Her hand released he strap that had been her lifeline, standing and almost falling as the skimmer jerked a bit before she threw herself fearlessly off the edge in a swan dive that quickly turned into a barrel roll. She tucked her head as her body went jerking across the sand, the coarse grains quite uncomfortable though not so horrible as jagged rock would have been.

    She uncurled, sliding fast and hard down the hill on her side, a hand clawing at the dune to slow herself, a rather unsuccessful brake though she finally stopped. Her eyes were closed, and she laid there a moment catching her breath. Just as fast though, her eyes flew open, red orbs wide as she scrambled to her feet and turned, surveying the area for the Skimmer,"Alexandros!" She called, though the only though in her mind was Please be okay...

    She felt a lump in her throat, the wind still tugging her hair to the side as she stood still atop the hill. It tugged at her clothes, too, a large scrape from the fall stinging on her side where her shirt had been pulled up a bit. Blood dripped from her wounded hand and the gouge on her face but she couldn’t feel it.

    Hugo’s ears had laid back upon the unpleasant woman’s revelation, taking off at a run over the hill though he was slowed by his paws sinking into the sand.
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    Alexandros
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    He'd seen her leap for safety, and the relief almost threatened to drown him before he was snapped back to reality, futilely tugging on the ropes to try and get the sails to respond. The skimmer did turn, broadside against the wind as it headed straight for a tall palm, the leaves whipping back and forth in the wind, beckoning.
    Shaking his head as if he could simply deny the sight, he yanked hard, the sail billowing and crumpling again as the skimmer wavered, still heading directly for the oasis at an awkward angle, the wind rushing past still, had turned the exhilarating ride into a moment of panic and fear.

    He felt resignation then, winding in with the tense anticipation of the collision, though he couldn't quite force himself to squeeze his eyes shut, watching with a morbid fascination as the sail caught and wound around the trunk of the palm, tearing itself loose from the craft and splintering the wood as it smashed at a forty-five degree angle into the tree. The skimmer itself continued going, the shattered hull burying itself into the sand where it finally stopped, the remaining sail flapping sadly in the wind.

    The moment of impact was not particularly light, the brackets screaming as they tore loose from the deck, wrenching the engineers arm and pulling it loose from the socket again with a grinding pop, drawing a restrained shout as he was pulled clear of the deck, pain ricocheting up his arm as the ropes finally came loose and dumped him hard on his back, driving the air from his lungs.
    Alex lay for a moment, trying to draw a breath and unsure what he should be more worried about, Cricket, the shattered skimmer, or the fact that his arm was a pulsing mess of pain. Worse than the time he'd dislocated it in Orl'Kabbar probably. He let his head fall back onto the sand, fighting the blackness that was crawling at him from all sides, lingering in a state of semi-consciousness until he finally let go, falling into the painless dark.




    Arella glanced only momentarily at the hound as he scampered by, cresting the hill and making for the first figure she saw. Turned out to be the odd masked woman, and kneeling she helped her to her feet somewhat awkwardly, tense with anxiety.
    "Are you alright? Where's the skimmer? Where's-"
    She caught sight of the sail wrapped around the tree trunk but from her vantage could see nothing else, the faint outline of the skimmer half buried in the dune and a cloud of white feathers drifting down around it.
    "Oh no.."
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    Cricket
    if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end

    The sight of the skimmer crashing was watched with morbid fascination by Cricket, who couldn’t seem to pull herself up from where she’d fallen, a prisoner of her won helplessness. Her hand reached out, but there was nothing she could do but hold the bloody appendage out as if grasping for Alexandros, for the skimmer’s sails, for something... She was vaguely aware of movement behind her, mind numb as she was helped to her feet.

    Hugo whined and nosed at Cricket, trying to lick the wounded hand, but he didn’t get a chance to worry his mistress as she took off down the hill, stumbling threatening to fall once more. It was an awkward jerking sort of motion, a continuous stumble that caused lightening-like pain to shoot up her bad leg. Hugo ran ahead of her, to the wreckage,. He was the first to see Alexandros, the smell of blood had warned him before he had even come close. He pressed his cold wet nose against the mans face, nudging him, <Get up! God damn it- wake!>

    The grim, however, let out an indignant sigh as Cricket slid down to her knees in the sand beside Alexandros. Her eyes waved, a hand wrenching the goggles off her face and tossing them aside. She wasn’t the strongest female, but working with hammers all day gave her the strength to pull Alexandros up. Her arms were around him tightly, his head against her chest while her hand wandered his arm, feeling the wounds.

    Tears slid down her face, “Wake up. Please, I’m sorry... “ She wasn’t sure why she was apologizing, or why her heart ached so hard while she held him tightly, her head bowed down. Her black hair fell like a crumpled curtain, her cold salty tears striking his face as her breath hitched. “Please be okay... I saw that you’d be okay.. I saw...”

    Hugo was whining, but stood a few steps back, head lowered. Alexandros didn’t smell of death, at least, so he paced too and fro, lifting his head in surprise only when an odd ripple of energy hit the air. Something akin to a small electric current slid from Cricket into the blood engineer, coursing through the two of them as she glowed faintly, shoulders shaking. All the lesser wounds would tingle as they healed, while the bigger ones (particularly that on the hand which she held so gently in her own) merely stopped bleeding. The sharp sudden pains were lessened to nothing but dull aches.

    “Please wake up.” She told him, looking down at his face, that light glow still surrounding her form as her heart beat beside his ear, a fast, panicked thudding like a war drum.
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    Alexandros
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    Alex stirred, eyelids fluttering as something cold and wet pushed up against his cheek, only to sink back again as it was removed, into a state of semi-consciousness. He opened his eyes blearily, everything blurred in bright colors, something soft and white settling on his chest.
    Feathers.
    And someone was holding him, the heartbeat fluttering wildly like the wings of a frightened bird. The lightest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he sighed.
    "..Angels..."

    So, I'm dead then? I had a good run I suppose.

    He frowned, his eyes opening again, things sliding in and out of focus. Most of his left side hurt. Were you supposed to hurt when you're dead? So then maybe he wasn't. Everything tingled, ached, not as strongly as it had, granted, but the fact he was being held by a glowing individual, and so gently, he had a reason to lean in that direction.

    I'm not religious. So I was wrong?

    Everything began coming back, hitting him like a slap in the face. The joyous flight, the sudden avian cloud tearing into them, destroying the sails and bringing them back down to earth, and the horrible tearing sensation as he was dragged off the deck. Alex winced.
    "Cricket..?"
    He'd have lifted his hand to touch, just to make sure she was real but found that pressed against her, he couldn't really do that, the other clasped in her own. The frown softened and he sighed again. At least she was alive, and apparently in one piece, that was a bonus.
    He tried to sit, to see where there skimmer had gone, and fell back again groaning between his teeth, too many questions pounding his head, teeth chattering slightly.

    Shock? Where's the skimmer? Why is she glowing like that? Ye gods...I screwed up big time.

    He wasn't sure he minded simply lying on the sand being cradled though, it was warm, if not completely comfortable, drawing a pained smile to his face, brows raising slightly as he tried not to let it turn into a grimace. Making light of the situation.
    "I'll have to do this more often."
    He gave her hand the slightest squeeze, eyes drawing over to Hugo, then hunting out Arella, hovering behind Cricket, her face twisted in concern and a touch of frustration, unable to do anything but watch, before resting back on Cricket again.
    "Are you hurt?"
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