Transformation (Thorn)

[athena]

The sound of pounding footsteps and ragged breath pierced through the air, disrupting the silence that had once reigned the territory. A girl, running at full pace looked up before her, golden eyes searched the impregnable barrier before her. “Blasted thorns..” She muttered to herself as she grimaced slightly. Then her gaze shifted from before her to her hand that was shaking without control. She knew her magic had been running out and needed a short time of rest, but she hadn’t thought it was this low. Her footsteps faltered and then grew still at the barrier stretched before her. Her gaze flicked north, south, east, and west, no one was within sight. A sigh escaped her mouth as she closed her eyes. Hands were balled into fists, preparing for the spell that would release her from this bondage. The words were muttered under breath, unheard, and to quiet to be understood by any but her.

The response to the words was immediate and violent. Her body was thrown to the ground as the sweat continued to pour down her face. Her eyes were clenched shut, but when they opened the iris had turned from a normal humans to that of a diamond, giving it a snake like look. The pale hand stretched out and became that of a talon, her nails claws. Large golden wings tore through her back, and lay limply by her as the rest of the transformation took place. Though the transformation only took a moment, that moment seemed like hours to her.

Relief flooded her eyes as her long neck turned to look at herself. “Finally! I don’t know how those humans can stand such a cramped form.. So weak and powerless” A deep rumble, something that was closest to a purr from a cat, erupted from the depths of her body. Scales, the color of the purest gold, covered her body like jewels and were as bright as the sun. Her large muscular wings stretched their full length as her back, lines with dagger like spines, arched like a cats. “ Oh, how good it feels to be normal again!” Letting out a roar of satisfaction she, for once, took the chance of someone hearing or seeing her. Dragons were a rare thing these days, but that didn’t pass her mind. A stream of golden flame erupted from her powerful jaws and went through the air toward the sky in the form of a pillar, singing anything it came in contact with.

Closing her mouth her eyes flicked behind her, “I wonder if Elizabeth managed to keep up..” Picking up her claw she gave it a lick with her forked tongue, “She is after all only human, though she is a Physic..” With a huff she muttered, mainly to herself, though it is hard for a dragon to say anything to only themselves, “I shouldn’t be so hard on her…”

[elizabeth]

Panting, Elizabeth ran over to where she last spotted the fleeting figure of Athena. She was just about to collapse, leaning against one of the vine-coated trees, still trying to catch her breath. "Athena... You... I... Hate..." When she saw that her friend had literally shed her human skin, she crossed her arms and stared her down. "Well, you could have told me that was why!" Her legs still a little weak, she marched over there and flopped down against her friend's golden scales.

"Honestly, Athena. Send a signal? Give me a head start? Something!" she exclaimed angrily. Athena needed to start understanding that she wasn't a 2 ton dragon with the agility of a million horses.

[athena]

Athena's amber eyes glittered slightly as she lowered her noble head to nudge Elizabeth gently. "Sorry, please forgive me my friend." She breathed a puff of warm air as she smiled slightly at Elizabeth. "Though I am glad you were able to catch up." A slightly bit of laughter passed her lips, though a dragon laughing sounds quite different than a humans. "Though you were funny to watch....you are getting better you know." Her eyes gleamed with amusement. Then her eyes, though still sparkling had a slightly more serious tone, "I couldn't stand it any longer, being in that cramped form, I do not understand how you little creatures stand it.." Her head shook slightly before looking down at her friend. "I couldn't waste energy on speaking, sorry" If dragons could blush, the golden scales of Athena would have been tinged a slight pink of embarrassment and shame at Elizabeth's anger. Though Athena was larger than her friend, it was obvious to see that Elizabeth had the upper hand.

[elizabeth]

Elizabeth glared at Athena's slanted, dragon eyes. "I've had an awful lot of practice." Sighing, she began to rummage through her dirty, worn satchel. She threw out some leaves that had found their way into it, not wanting to damage what the bag contained. "It is quite strange, really. After all I am of the clairvoyant, but then again I suppose I have learned not to invade your privacy." She gently removed an aged violin that had faded wood with strings in perfect condition. The bow was also of the same aged appearance, but it worked just fine for her uses. Lifting it up beneath her chin, she strung the bow. "What shall it be today? I really shouldn't be taking your requests. You made me run."

[athena]

Athena looke thoughtful for a moment as a noise that resembled a purr sounded withing her. " You sure know how to heap hot cols on my head." She laughed. Then looking at Elizabeth her eyes shone brightly. " Do...." She smiled quietly, " my favorite." Her voice dropped slightly to a gentle tone.

It was strange that this was Athena's favorite, for it was slow and gentle, yet had a tone of sadness. It reminded her of the times gone by. When she had learned to fly with her mother, when she had flown so free in the skies, not having to be worried about being seen. But then it reminded her of her mothers death, and the death of so many dragons. "Yes, play the song about times past.." During the time that Elizabeth played songs Athena's memories flowed so strongly in her mind, that anyone physic like Elizabeth could pick them up without trying.



(song -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQ6eHeBrhM)

[ebony]

Elizabeth gave Athena a skeptical look. "I've never been able to figure out why that is your favorite." She proceeded to lay the bow against the strings, her fingers moving up and down the fingerboard, playing a sad, yet soothing melody. She could feel the memories flowing out from Athena's concious. It gave her playing more passion, knowing there was a story behind it. The melody was a simple one; it did not have to be complex or difficult to touch those who felt something behind it.

She too had a connection with this melancholy melody. It was one of the first she had ever learned to play. Nothing had suited her emotions more at the time when she first picked up this instrument. There were a few moments of silence after she had concluded the song, setting down her violin and untying her dark, coarse hair. It flowed down her back and around her shoulders. She shook it out a bit, small waves forming from being tied up for so long. "How long do you plan to stay in your true form?"

[athena]

Athena sighed slightly as the music stopped flowing from the instrument in Elizabeth's fingers. She blinked for a second and looked at Elizabeth for a moment. "For as long as I can." Her eyes flicked with amusement. " Which we both know isn't very long." Athena rested her head on her front claws and flicked her eyes toward Elizabeth, "I'm lucky to have you as a friend Elizabeth." She shifted her eyes to the sky and sighed deeply. The blue depths of the sky were so freeing looking, so welcoming to her eyes. How her wings itched to feel the wind beneath them. " I may have to take a little... 'trip' though, in the sky. I'm sure you could come along with me." Her eyes gleamed brightly. It had been a long time since Athena had let Elizabeth ride on her golden beck, but perhaps that time was near. If they weren't interrupted.

[{Kaiji}]

Dai had been sitting on a branch in a nearby tree. He heard the music being played and flipped upside down and held onto the branch with his legs. His staff was in his hand as he slightly swayed to the music. Then it stopped. "Aww." He said, "Why did the music stop." It was more of a statement than a question. He didn't know he wasn't alone, he was facing the other way. Until he first heard the dragon speak. He yelled out as the branch snapped and he fell. It was his back that he landed on. Now he was facing the girl and the dragon. "That...hurt..." He said as he stood.

[athena]

Athena leaped up at the sound of a voice and turned around with speed that seemed impossible for one so big. Her eyes were wide with fear, her fangs bared as a roar rumbled in her throat. Her golden eyes flamed with fear and anger. " How long have you been here!" Her neck snaked out and her eyes glared into the newcomers face. Her wings were spread pinned to her body, and her tail lashed back and forth causing dust to rise in the air.

Dragons were a rare thing now and days, and you never could tell how people were going to react. Claws were digging into the ground as she stared at the man. Her anger was welling up inside of her, and if it got to far, she would be uncontrollable. That is was how Elizabeth and her had been separated before. Athena had gotten frightened, and mad, and burned an entire village, before flying off in a huff.

[elizabeth]

Elizabeth smirked with understanding. "It has been quite some time since we journeyed together." A sound of shock came out of her throat at the sudden appearance of a clumsy wizard. "Wh-what!?" At the sound of Athena's rage, Elizabeth darted out from next to her and held a knife to the stranger's neck. Staring back at Athena for a moment, she gave her a glance that cautioned her to wait. Her glower returned to the intruder, staring him down without even blinking. "You have ten seconds to explain why you're here." She pressed the knife closer to his neck, wanting him to know she meant business. She had left her violin lying on the ground next to Athena, but this was more important than worrying about dirt staining the wood.

[{Kaiji}]

Dai held his hands up in a surrendering fashion. "I was here before you. I think so at least." He said in a surprised tone from the knife being put against his skin. "You wouldn't want to even try that, miss. It may end up with you not being able to move." He said with a slight grin. He began mumbling a word and he was back where the girl once was, by the violin. "I am Dai, one of the new Guardians. I would prefer to be alive for the next council, please." He smiled brightly.

[elizabeth]

Elizabeth raised her lip as if she was about to snarl. "Don't try that tone with me, mister!" she yelled. How dare he talk to her as if she were a child! He couldn't even be twenty. When she noticed that he was standing by her violin, she used telekinesis to pick it up and it floated calmly over to her. She grasped it tightly in her hands. "Then perhaps you should try not to fall out of trees. Your life expentancy will be much longer," she said angrily. She began to prod at his mind, trying to find out if he was telling the truth about who he was. She couldn't find any deception, so she let it lie.

She could have warned her not to get close to Athena, but he'd just have to find out the hard way. Why should she help him after he talked to her in that condescending manner? She just held her tongue and sat back and watched. Hopefully Athena wouldn't squash him underfoot.

[athena]

Athena’s eyes flashed as the man appeared by her. “You are a wizard.” Rage made her words icy cold, though everything else about her seemed to burn with a fuming flame. Him treating Elizabeth in the way he did, didn’t help out his case. Her head snaked down at him and she looked him in the face, “The type who think dragon claws and scales make a strong potion.” Raising to her full height she struck him across the chest with her wing, something that would be strong enough to send him skidding on his back for a good length. Then she bared her fangs at him, golden fire could be seen seeping out of her teeth. The fire was let loose and sent chased after Dai like a rhino charging. She stood there quivering with anger, her golden scales flashing brightly in the sun. “ You will find me a hard prey to capture.”

[{Kaiji}]

Dai was hit by the dragon's wing. It sent him flying off a few feet. He had skidded across the ground on his feet. A hand was on his chest, "I've never used anything of a dragon to make any single potion." He said. Then he saw the golden flmes coming at him. He wasn't sure whether to dodge or to admire them. A spell fell out of his mouth as he put the base of his staff on the ground. A blue barrier formed around him and blocked the flames. "I didn't even come here to trap you. I came to see if there were any plants here that I could use." He said with his eyed focused on the dragon's.

[athena]

"Liar!" She hissed as she glared at him. A puff of smoke came from her mouth and she pounded her wings, causing dust to fly everywhere. The air around them was thick with dust, it got on everything, blinded everyone. And when it cleared she had moved from where she was to behind Dai. Her golden scales glinted brightly as she put her claws on the ground around her. Snaking her head out she head it about three feet from his face. Her teeth bared she hissed, "Defend yourself." Her eyes narrowed as she reared up in her full length and prepared to attack again.