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[Renia]

Renia moved lightly through the dense foliage of the forests of the northern mountain range. The terrain could be quite steep in places, but for the most part it was easy going, with the exception of the thick vegetation and close-knit forest that protected the rim of the mountains. Farther in, Renia was well aware that dragons and shilers of all kinds were scattered throughout the land. She was counting on that fact.

Another steep slope confronted her, and Renia sighed. Her human form just was not made for such rough travel, though she could have eventually made it up the steep slope had she really insisted on taking it on in this form. It was just easier, and less time-consuming, to shift into another more capable form this time.

Her wolf form was easy enough to call to mind. The silver-gray animal was the most familiar of her two animal forms. She slid smoothly into her canine self and made short work of the task at hand, bounding up the slope in a few easy lunges. She took her normal form once again at the top, stopping for a moment to look back the way she had come.

As far as Renia could tell, she was about halfway through the forest. This was the one obstacle that had slowed her down. The forest was so dense that she had no choice but to take most of it by her human form. Her wolf form was useful when it came to scaling slopes and squeezing through thick brambles, but her human form was far more efficient when it came to the hiking aspect. Her human form allowed her to see farther ahead, which was a huge advantage in a place so crowded with brush. Her wolf form would be utterly lost, even losing scent trails due to the pungent scent of animals and fragrant plants. It was all a jumbled mess to her senses as a wolf. And her Shiler form was a bit big to manage the tightly-grouped trees in the area.

She sighed, wishing she could have just flown over the forest in her Shiler form. But, seeing as Dragons inhabited the area, and seeing as how Dragons are rather territorial, Renia was not keen on tempting them to attack a young Shiler who seemed to be invading their land. Safer to walk the distance and remain unobserved.

After a moment Renia returned her attention to the direction she intended to continue in and began once more to slip through the plant life toward her goal. She had a lot to do before dark, after all.

[Evanesence]

Tailitha slipped quietly through the brush of the forest in which she had wandered several times before. Her ears twitched catching different sounds as she moved in her clouded leopard body. She was three feet in length, not including the tail, which was another three feet. She was about the same weight in this body as she was in her human form; approx. 35 lbs. It had been an easy transition between bodies ever since she could remember.

Her green blue eyes were wide with attention as she sought out the dragons. She had foreseen something the other night in one of her premonitions and she came to discuss it with them. Even with being a small creature in their eyes, she's gained their trust over the years being one of the races who lives nearly the same lifespan and holds a similar intellectual level. So she was comfortable traveling these parts.

Talitha approached a slope in the land which she could easily bound up. Just before she did so she noticed marks in the ground where another animal had kicked up a bit of dirt. It looked fresh to her and she wondered what creature had walked this path. Some days she would sit in a tree and observe the forest which was filled with life and made a game out of memorizing the animals. Tail happily bounded up the slope.

She stopped short when she saw a figure ahead. A human? She shook her head at the silly thought. Why would a human come here? Besides the terrain is way to intense for a mere human to brave. There were not foot prints of a human up that slope. I would have noticed. And it's unlikely a human could scale the steepness of it. She paused, putting two and two together. An Alterion for sure. Tailtha pranced silently and happily towards the Alterion.

As she came close she saw it to be female. I wonder what her goal is. When Talitha was only a few feet behind her she let our a small noise. Not a 'meow' or a growl, just a throaty noise to let the alterion know she was present.

[Renia]

Renia heard the sound and froze. She was actually becoming used to things sneaking up on her, and that was certainly a bad thing. Whatever was following her, it apparently wanted to be known. Otherwise, Renia was certain it would not have made that particular sound. She turned curiously to observe whatever, or whoever, was there.

She was quite surprised to find a beautiful spotted leopard standing there. Of course, to an Alterion, it could have been anything but a clouded leopard. Normal carnivorous felines did not usually attempt to introduce themselves to humans. Renia was immediately ready to treat the leopard as though it were as human as she herself looked at the moment.

“Hello...” she said slowly, watching the leopards stunning blue-green eyes for any sign of emotion. “And what may I do for you, my friend?” She hoped her own words would convey that she was not an enemy and wished to stay that way. On the off chance that this truly was a normal leopard, her tone alone was usually soothing to animals. Actually, it was not so far-fetched an idea that this feline was nothing more than it seemed. After all, to Renia’s mind, the only form-changing race she could think of that might be wandering around these mountains was Alterion, and she had an uncanny feeling whenever she met one of her own kind even when they were in animal form. This leopard was not Alterion, that was certain.

Then again, it could not hurt to be polite, just incase. Renia had a strong love of animals in general, having spent so much time as a wolf herself. Part of her just hoped that this feline really was a form-changer and potential friend. Another part was afraid this might be an enemy. But most of her was just curious as to what it wanted, form-changing race or not.

[Evanesence]

Tailitha got the desired reaction from the Alterion girl. She cocked her head as if she didn't understand the girl, but her eyes were sure to give her away. Tailitha approached her slowly, smelling the air around the Alterion girl. Lifting her head she looked up at the girl's face to get a better look. This girl isnt just some alterion, she has a future attached to her. I sense it. She must be interesting and worth hanging around. I'll shall introduce myself.

Tail purred quietly and her tail swished over the ground lightly. Hello yourself. You could tell me your name for starters, my friend. Mine is Talitha. Talitha nodded her head when introducing herself. Her telepathic tone was quite friendly with a hint of playful mockery. She assumed that this girl was friendly enough to continue talking to a leopard. Talitha didn't feel like exposing her seven year old body when she could enjoy the comfort of her furry mass.

She glanced quickly in the direction the both seemed to be headed and again wondered what the alterion was doing in these parts. Maybe on a personal mission? Looking for another form? Who knows. Tailtha wasn't in a real rush to find the dragons; their fate was safe.

[Renia]

Renia smiled. Her hopes had been confirmed as soon as the leopard spoke to her. This creature was indeed as much human as herself, and friendly as well. Good thing, too. If this had been an enemy it might well have caused her a great deal of trouble, and time she did not have to spare. But Renia was still puzzled as to which race Tailitha must belong to. Other than Alterion... what other shape-changing races were there? She still had a lot to learn about other races, she supposed, but Renia was certain she should know this...

“Nice to meet you, Tailitha. My name is Renia. I’m here to study the dragons for a while,” she explained, knowing Tailitha must at least be a little curious as to why an Alterion was so deep within the forest. Her own curiosity toward Tailitha was difficult to disguise, so Renia decided not to hide it. “What brings you to Rethein today, if I may ask?”

[Evanesence]

Talitha grinned, which is a skill that had been perfected over the years, in her leopard body. Its a pleasure Renia. I myself was headed in the dragons direction. I... have a message for them. But no rush. Tail inched forward, to get a better look at Renia. She often ignored personal boundaries as she did now and sat not even a foot away from Renia, looking straight up at her.

Here to study dragons. You must be looking into another form, eh? Assuming you already have one, that is. Great beasts they are. Powerful too. I consider myself a friend of the dragons. I could probably get you up close and personal if you wish. She cocked her head looking up at her, waiting for her to respond. Judging by the lack of human foot prints on the slope, Talitha already knew that Renia had at least one form, which made her correct in her assumptions.






(OOC) badd bad post. Very sorry, its been a while...

[Renia]

Renia smiled at Tail’s closeness. Obviously not an overly-shy creature. That suited Renia just fine. She had no qualms about personal space... at least not with the female variety. She felt comfortable enough with having a leopard sitting only a foot away. Perhaps being an Alterion helped...

“Another form, hmm?” she murmured after a moment’s thought. “Not a bad idea, really, but I’ll wait on that.” She’d been speaking to herself. Only after she had said the words did Renia realize she had spoken aloud. She blushed faintly with embarrassment at the realization and sighed, adding, “I really have to work on that... Sorry. I’m only here to study the dragons. Taking the form of one might prove useful, but I’m saving my last form for when I know I need it.”

She glanced in the direction she was headed, visualizing the massive creatures, and sighed again. “I have a problem with a dragon of sorts, and I need to figure out how to deal with it. None of my forms would be able to take on a dragon... If he keeps attacking me I need to have a way to protect myself. That means either I learn how to deal with a real dragon, rather than an Alterion replica, or I’ll be force to take on a dragon form myself as you just suggested. Either way, I refuse to let myself be taken down by Nir-uh-well... By anyone, really.”

She’d been about to say ‘by Nirvia’s house pet’ as she had come to refer to the Alterion man serving Nirvia whom was giving her hell in dragon form, but that would certainly reveal a little of her prejudice against Nirvia, and she had no idea if Tail would dislike that.

“Anyway, if you would be so kind, I would love to take you up on your offer. Getting to see a dragon up close would certainly help me out a lot. How long have you known the dragons?”

[Evanesence]

An Alterion, with dragon form, pest you say? What quarrel would he have with you? Do not Alterions have some natural bonding connection upon meeting? Tailitha picked up on Renia dodging Nirvia's name, but said nothing of it. She tried not to bother with the war. She was worried about having a premonition involving the war that would help or hurt either side. Sure it would be interesting enough. But would I really want to risk my own life for a struggle over power? No one helped me search for the one thing that disappeared in my life.

I'm glad to have some company! I have known the Dragons for quite some time. Probably a few centuries before King Liam's Father was in throne. Talitha paused wondering if Renia knew that she was a werecat. The dragons do me favors when I ask, and I do them favors as well. I tend to visit when something... changes. Whether big or small. Tail's shoulders shrugged a bit.

Standing up, she sauntered in the direction of the dragons.Talitha gave Renia another grin in her leopard body.

[Renia]

Renia followed Tail, finally able to put together the pieces of information that had alluded her. Werecat. Of course! That would explain it all. The fact that Tail visited the dragons when something changed was enough to tip Renia off. She should have known earlier, but this was the first time Renia had met a Werecat in person. It was rather exciting to finally meet one.

“Well, as far as Alterions go, we do sort of learn to sense another Alterion when we meet them. But that does not necessarily mean we bond and form friendships. All I need to know about another Alterion is whether or not it is friendly. He most certainly was not.”

She walked a few more steps before she ventured more. “So, Tailitia, you say you visit the dragons when something changes. Does that mean a change has brought you here today? No details needed: I am simply curious.”

((I’m going to need some time to get back into this... horrible post. XD))

[Evanesence]

Talitha looked up at Renia, grinning. Actually, yes. Nothing major though. Its merely an update. Talitha shrugged her shoulders a bit and continued walking. She thought about what Renia said involving meeting another Alterion. So, you didn't say, what quarrel did that dragon Alterion have with you?

Talitha could think of several reasons for the dragon alterion to be causing Renia trouble. The most reasonable explaination Tail could think of was the fight between the Rebels and Nirvia. Its all everyone fights about these days. Or it may seem that way.


(gahhh. >.<)

[Renia]

“I’m not actually certain about that,” Renia admitted. “He’s certainly working for Nirvia, which seems reason enough for most of her followers to attack anyone these days,” she said sourly. “Still, I don’t think it was just that he wanted to push someone around that day because of his status. I think he was following me for a while before that. He must really not have liked me, I suppose. And I normally evoke such friendliness in others, too..” she said in mock sorrow.

The truth was, she was still angry. Not that she had been attacked, for that was normal life to her now. But that another of her kind could choose to serve Nirvia... That had been a complete shock to her. Alterions did not normally take sides. They ran and hid, so that no matter who won, they would survive. True enough, Renia herself had taken a side, taken forms that would allow her to fight for the future she wanted, ignored the Alterion’s rules altogether. But even though she was acting against her race’s rules, she did it out of a sense of protectiveness for her race and her land.

The Alterion who had attacked her had done so out of pure viciousness, and that was not a quality she knew existed in her own kind. Was it possible... could there be more like him? More Alterions that simply craved to kill and turn their backs on their own race among others? Renia could not help feeling rage at the thought.

“The simple fact is, he probably won’t be the last Alterion that comes after me, for various reasons. I have to be able to protect myself, or I’ll be no use to anyone.”

[Evanesence]

Talitha listened carefully to her explanation to his behavior. Well it should be no question as to [I]why he was following you around. He must know something. If your not with him, in his mind of coarse, you must be against him. And being an Alterion, he was aware you were as well. And you say he was working for Nirvia. There is the answer. She plants hate in her soldiers, that hate gives them drive. Nirvia thrives on people who have a deep pain, anger, or hatred inside of them.

She takes in anyone who hordes these angry feeling and have them channel their emotions into drive. Motivation. She bribes them. If they do what she says, she claims she will reward them. Of coarse that's just me talking. My theory anyway.[/i] Talitha shrugged and continued on.

As of being of any use to anyone, I think you will have no worries after meeting my dragon friends. Just then there was a rumble in the distance giving away the location of the dragons.

[Renia]

Renia was silent for a moment. She knew, of course, that the fact that this other Alterion was in league with Nirvia meant that they would be enemies no matter if he had attacked her or left her alone. And she also knew that he must know something about her to be following her around. Of course, luckily, that was mostly due to a particular book she had stolen from Nirvia’s men and had been taking to Kade. A book she had yet to give him because Kade was so often needed by others, but was safely hiding within the home base where only she or Bella would know to look for it.

But she had never thought of Nirvia’s soldiers in that sort of light before. To Renia, they had always been the bad guys. The ones enforcing Nirvia’s laws with stubborn tenacity. They had always been just as guilty in Renia’s mind as Nirvia herself. For the most part, she still thought that she was right about that. She’d seen too many of Nirvia’s soldiers go above and beyond the violence they actually had to resort to to carry out Nirvia’s laws. But now that Tail had mentioned it, some of them might be serving Nirvia because they thought it was the right thing to do. That might make fighting them a little more difficult for her.

But her disturbing thoughts vanished when Tail mentioned how close they were to their goal, and Renia heard the roar of one such dragon in the distance. Renia felt no fear at the thought of meeting such a creature. Only a deep respect for something so ancient and powerful. The Alterion in her refused to give in to fear at another creature. She could change shape to avoid most danger. That was what Alterions had done for as long as her race could remember.

“You have a point,” she said, referring to Tail’s first comment. “I’ll have to keep that in mind. But first, let’s meet the dragons.”

[Evanesence]

Talitha happily lead the way through a few more thick trees before reaching an opening. A really large opening. Straight ahead of them were the vast mountains of Rethein and within those mountains, and above them, were dragons. The huge creatures roared, breathed fire, and flew swiftly threw the air.

Feeling quiet at home here, Tail sat herself down and looked up at the looming mountain. She scanned the the caves for a particular one. There she is. Just as Talitha had spotted the dragon she intended on speaking with, a small silver dragon darted from the sky aiming itself at the new arrivals. Talitha noticed the young, not fully mature dragon, and gave it a toothy grin.

"Tail!! You came back," The young dragons voice projected. "Of coarse I did, Duarte." Tail projected back. Looking over at Renia Talitha said, in an unprojected voice, That sliver ball of scales is Duarte. I knew him since he was an egg. It's his mother I'm looking for. She is the crimson colored one, peering out of her cave about three fourths up the mountain.

"Duarte, Can you tell your mother I'm here to speak with her. I've also brought a guest. "

"No problem Tail!" The silver dragon shot himself back into the sky. Talitha watch him. A minute later the Crimson dragon slid of the edge of the mountain and glided down the steep slope. As it got closer, the larger it became. Compared to the silver speck that flew beside it, the Crimson dragon was huge. Its large wings flew outward their full length as she neared the ground and landed on her hind haunches with a heavy thud.

She was easily the size of a two story building not including her long neck and strong head. Duarte was probably a bit larger in height than a Shire stallion, but his girth would easily fit two of them standing side by side. The Crimson dragon's large head snaked down towards the ground meeting a human eye level.

"Welcome back Talitha. Its a pleasure." The dragon's large eyes flickered to Renia. "What... brings you back to us this day?" Talitha nodded her head slightly before saying, "Zehira, This is a friend of mine. She is Renia of the Alterions. She is friend to your kin. Renia, this is Zehira, mother of past present and future clutches."

Zehira nodded at Renia, "Any friend of Talitha, is a friend of mine. Welcome. Is there anything I can do for you, guest?"





*ooc-
if you want to have Zerhira talk the color code i used was 660000
Duarte is just grey in the drop down menu.

[Evanesence]

-Sorry, but I put Talitha in retirement (a new forum) for the time being.