Whereabouts Unknown

[Everett]

Sparks jumped from the fire resulting from another large log being tossed into the flames by the elf. He now sat fireside his back against a large boulder. To the left of him there was a simple bedroll. This was his glorious camp for the night. Located within the mountains of Mern in which he had been passing through. This was far less than the luxurious life he had lived, but that was years ago. He knew it as his previous life, one that he had abandon. Not for the greater good; just for his own good. He would not trade his current life for anything, before he had everything given to him on a silver platter. Not anymore though, he worked for every gold coin, but he nearly always kept a full gold pouch. Everett had thievery to thank for that, the life of a thief was enjoyable. The life of a talented thief even more, avoiding guards was a second nature. It was the perfect carefree life.

"Its almost midnight." Everett spoke to himself, predicting the time. In his left hand, he held a long stick. The burned tip would say it was used as a prong to push the burning logs of fire. In his right hand, he held an unfinished carving that at the moment resembled. At the brink of the moment he decided to continue the carving. It was a dark lonely night for the elf, it was only him, a knife, and a piece of wood in which he would shape to his desire.

[Lynx]

"State the obvious often?" came a voice from the shadows. It was feminine, though not light and airy. It was a voice with two layers to it. One layer was a husky female voice while the other, more subtle layer was a baritone growl. It was the voice of a strange race, a bizarre mix of animal and human that no one was quite sure what to think about. From whence the union had come no one could guess, but such was the slight mystery that surrounded the Dracons. Out of the shadows came first a foot. It was bare, with four thickly clawed toes that gleamed bright silver in the flickering light. Then out poked a snout, also silver, but slender. Behind that gleamed two almost unreal green eyes that seemed to glow. Two gleaming head spikes protruded from the narrow head, which perched on top of a long and sinuous neck. The foot was connected to a leg shaped much like an animal's. Finally a body emerged. The torso and lower body were clothed with a worn black leather-like material, a belt with pouches and a bare blade also hanging from the scaled waist. A tail weaved out in due course, the tip weaving a bit. Finally wings could be seen, large gossamer wings that shone a soft silver in the light of the flame.

Standing at an even six foot eight, Agate the Dracon was a formidable looking creature. Or at least she would have been if not for the mischief dancing in her eyes and the smirk on her young face. "Odd place for an elf, yes?" she commented, tucking in her wings. Agate had just landed after seeing the dull flicker that meant fire from the air. Using the wind she was able to land noiselessly - none of that thudding about and whooshing that other flying creatures employed. Looking no doubt like a magical being, she had floated down the last hundred feet as if on a cloud. It was a very fun thing to do. This elf looked to be interesting, so she decided she would stay.

[Everett]

The elf jerked slightly after the Draconian spoke. He looked down at his hand. He nearly disfigured the block of wood which began to resemble a man. Needless to say he was somewhat surprised, He usually heard somebody approaching. The elf looked over his right shoulder; while subtly grabbing the sword on his right side with his left hand. He did not respond to his statement, he kept a straight face. It was one of those dragon men. An abomination, the elf thought to himself before grinning. She looked dangerous, but her voice's tone seemed to have no ill intention. Everett stood up while letting go of his weapon.

He took a step to the side, away from the boulder that separated the two. "State the obvious often?" The elf grinned. "Ah there I go again... Yes stating the obvious, a bad habit of mine won't you agree?" His tone of voice was not one of mockery; yet that was his intention. The elf now stood completely visible. Compared to the draconian he looked much smaller even though he was almost as tall as her. She had a much bigger built, while he was slender. His right arm was wrapped up in cloth, he wore thin armor that while was finely crafted, was only a tad stronger than leather. His right eye was hidden behind his hair. It was hardly noble attire; his cloak though was the only reminder of his former life. It was as white as the clouds with not a stain of dirt.

" But yes it is a strange place for an elf to be. But the same can be said from your kind."

[Lynx]

Yes, he was surprised, something which Agate enjoyed watching. No doubt he was wondering why he hadn't heard her. Elves did have very good hearing. Her eyes surveyed him curiously. He was definitely alone, and by the carving in his hand she surmised that he was also a bit bored. Nights in the forest could get rather monotonous. This she knew from experience. Her eyes were keen; he moved his hand as he looked back at her. No doubt he was carrying at least one weapon. After all, one would have to be a fool to travel unarmed these days. Once he got a good look at her, however, he seemed slightly more at ease, though still very cautious. Agate supposed her race was not the most comforting visage to look upon.

"I would not know, elf, considering I do not know you," she mused, her wings half extended in a loose fashion. Tucking them in too tightly was uncomfortable, though she was forced to do it in large public settings. Here, with only her and this white haired elf, it was illogical to do so. Like all elves, this one was tall and willowy, not large and solid like her species. It was odd how...well, naked the other races looked without gloriously transparent wings. Small lights danced across the trees as the fire reflected off her bright silver scales. "Indeed, elf, but you may find that everything about me is far from....normal. In fact, it has become my business to dwell in the strange."

[Everett]

Everett leaned against the large rock and began to scratch his chin as he observed the dragon. "Well you appear to be rather normal for me." He stated before smirking. "Unless of course you meant for the strangeness of your race in itself. Are the part human, part dragon. If so why?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Actually, I rather not know." The elf smiled kindly, amused at his own method of greeting newcomers. "But without further adu..." Everett half bowed. " I am Everett." He said before standing upright and flicking his hair back into place. "Needless to we are all strange, we are all use to the abnormal." With that he walked back around the rock, and sat down once again by the fire side. " During this time of the year, the Mountains are extra dangerous. You must be insane to be traveling throughout these lands. If you wish you can stay in my humble camp thing." He gestured with his left hand toward the fire. "And to answer the inevitable question, I am crazy."

[Lynx]

"I am a Draconian," she proclaimed proudly, her magnificent wings flaring a bit. "Although we look like a human and a dragon mixed, no one is quite sure where we came from." Musing, she scratched her chin in a manner much like the elf was doing. Though her nails were razor sharp, she never cut herself, which was a good thing. Inclining her head, she acknowledged his introduction. "I am Agate," she returned, "and suffice it to say you are not the strangest thing I have ever seen." Walking a few steps further, she neared the fire. Fire was something her race was fond of. They could not breath the flickering flames like their cousins the dragons could, but they did share an affinity for the element. "I am a Draconian - my race does not fear much," she explained while baring a needle sharp grin. "Although most do not travel as I am now. But I thank you for your offer. I do not mind the occasional craziness," she grinned. Holding out her hands, she reveled in the warmth as the fire threw off small sparkles from her silver scales. Her hands had five fingers, like a human, but they were scaled and clawed like a dragon. Agate liked her hands. "What brings you to these lands?" she queried, turning her brilliant green gaze towards him.

[Everett]

Everett watched as dragon at least to him flaunted her wings. He rolled his eye; it was the behavior he expected. "I don't think anybody would want to know where your race came from." The elf was being brutally honest, and speaking his mind. "No offense." He added. "I have my own theory. Chances are it was a wicked experiment involving dragon eggs and a wizard of sorts." Most races enjoyed fire, at least not a lot of fire. It kept them warm, it cooked their food, it was a weapon. The elf grabbed her hand firmly and shook it quickly letting go before he could be cut by one of the main pointy objects that make up her body. "I'd like to say I don't fear much." The elf smirked. " But not fearing won't stop me from being killed. Even the most arrogant of people know that; trust me."

"What brings me to these lands?" Everett asked himself. " Mostly wanderlust." He answered the question with a mostly true response. It did not explain why he left his home in the forest, but it did explain why he was here and not in another location. "And you?"

[Lynx]

The elf seemed just as feisty as Agate herself. She grinned - it had been a while since she'd met someone who could match her wit. "Your theory holds weight, o fleshy one," she agreed, "but I suppose we will never know unless we travel to the past." Shame, really, because it had been a matter of much speculation among the Draconians as well as the other races. She was amused at how fast he went about his handshake. Was he nervous about her claws? Most were. Considering that Draconians had hands covered in scales, they didn't cut each other up. "Yes, dying is bad," she mused with a sardonic smirk.

He sounded much like her. "Yes, I had much the same. Rare for a Draconian, you must understand, because we are mainly a reclusive and aggressive race. Our homeland is composed of many family groups - despite our competitive natures we are not territorial in the way of most meat eaters. Anyone leaving is rare, which is why most are not aware of our race. But I am the odd one out - I love to travel and see new places," she explained in one breath. She decided not to tell him the whole 'elemental' thing. It was a bit shocking even for her, especially after she found out that she was the only one existing nowadays.

[Everett]

Everett was not 'nervous' of her claws, he simply wished to not be cut. It was also natural to quickly withdraw from a handshake, of course there were some occasions in which he would not. "Time travel." The elf smirked, unfortunately to his knowledge nobody had the power of time travel. His thoughts told him why it was like that, he would be one of the many whom would alter time. Unless of course traveling from the future into the past was part of history. Everett's mind suddenly went blank. It happen when he thought to much, as if he brain would not allow him to continue thinking.

The elf allowed the Draconian's word to momentarily enter one ear and leave throughout the other before snapping back to attention. "Dying is..... bad." He agreed soberly. "Very bad." The elf smiled, recalling his home land. His life was some what the opposite. His life was about competition, there were rivalry families whom while respected each other shared ill feelings. There was never bloodshed, or at least never open bloodshed. " Our races aside from the obvious are not too different. For the most part Elves stay in their home, of course they're the occasional scholars who live to travel the word and gain knowledge but... Their lives are almost meaningless."

[Lynx]

A meaningless life was a sad one indeed. She pitied the elves if their lives were so meaningless. She supposed, as an Elemental and apparently the only one, that she should do something wonderful in the world. Her father, the general of the wing knights, had of course wanted her to fight. Though Agate possessed the same snappy traits and witty sarcasm as her race, she tended to not like outright fighting. It was too messy, too brutal. She preferred to argue if she had a choice. The young Dracon was very good at arguing. Having only brothers would do that to you.

"Well, it's their fault to secluding themselves," Agate pointed out, sitting on the ground nearby. Her tail curled sinuously around her silvery flanks, the smooth tip coming to rest by her knee. She scratched at the ground a bit with a razor claw. It was dry, but loamy. This was a prosperous forest. "Can't complain about your life if you don't move to change it." That was why Agate had left home. That and too much pressure. Being 19 was already challenging without the added ire of being an Elemental.

[singent]

A rustling in the bushes, and a not so whispered voice slurred out, "Shhh, Shasha, the youn'uns are having a nicesh talk about life. The sprig with wings there, she knows a bit but she goin ter learn more than a fair share, eh Shasha. And the grass eater? Beh, again they talksh like they...hold on...*gah* ok, now pointy there? They talk all high *hic* and mightyish, migty? Mihty? Bah, they talksh like they be knowing thingsh, but really? They're learnin like the rest of us." Emptying the rest of the bottle, he pops another of a wheat based drink, and begins to whet his now parched throat.

[Everett]

"Words of wisdom eh?" His head shot in the direction of the bushes as his ears perked slightly upon hearing the drunken man. It had to be a human, seeing as they were in Mern. Granted they were in the mountains, but his voice was not deep enough to be a dwarf; nor did it sound like a goblin or orc. Of course he could be wrong, and the man could be elven but something made him doubt it. Either way he was about to find out, as he shot up onto both of his feet. His body turned to face the bushes and he walk directly to wards it; a b line. He scooped up his carving knife, quickly picking up his pace. It wasn't a real weapon, but in the right hands it could be. The elf smirked anything in his hands would be dangerous, he thought to himself. His cloak fluttered as in the wind grew ever so stronger on the top of the mountains.

Everett quickly reached the bushes. He stood in front of it, staring with his one eye. It smelled like alcohol, a lot if it. The elf wrinkled his nose in disgust. He out of all men enjoyed alcohol but there was a line that the elf had never crossed. That separated himself from the drunkards; a line that that this lowlife scum had obviously crossed. The elf now crouched, his head was at the same level of the bushes. In his hand he twirled the knife, he jabbed once into the air perhaps taunting the man before he reached his hand into the bush. He would grab the man if possible, be it by the head, arm, leg, or even his collar. Either way he would have a knee to the gut and a knife to his throat.

[Lynx]

Agate craned her neck to look to the bushes. She heard a noise. Sniffing, she recoiled. Gah someone had been bathing in alcohol! The yeasty, stale smell filled the forest air. Sneaking a glance at Everett, she realized that he, too, had heard whatever it was. Probably a human. Then a voice came out. By the smell and the way his voice slurred, she was surprised that he was even conscious. Shasha? Who was he talking to? She didn't hear anyone but him. Great. Not only was he drunk, he was insane.

The elf went on the offensive, going as if to attack the man. While he was preoccupied, the slender creature slipped around into the dark. Everett went from the front, so she would go from the back. She didn't draw her dirk because he didn't sound dangerous. If anything came up, she could just knock him over with a blast of wind. Considering how drunk he was, he probably wouldn't be able to get back up. She could see him now, and as Everett reached out so did she. A silver hand plucked the man up with ease, her sturdy frame hoisting him high. "Looks like we caught ourselves a drunkard," she commented.

[singent]

As the Curb-Drinker is yanked from the bushes, he giggles like a little school girl and flops merrily into place. "Oh, herro der," he managaes between laughs, "please, shpare me, take the Shasha!" Low and behold there is a calico sitting there watching with obvious disinterest. "Ahh, would you deny an old, tired, broken down man a sit by the fire? Woe be the world that meets you elf," as he tries to put on a face much like a puppy dog, but this only accentuates the dirt and muck about his face. Seeing the naked blade in the elf’s hand, he sighs, then sloshes the bottle slightly and grins like a maniac. He looks over at the dracon and tries to wink, but only succeeds in half drooping an eye-lid. “Care to share a drink? I mean yous no harm.”

[Everett]

Everett crouching looked down at the drunken man in disgust. He would admit, despite his obvious disdain for his type half of them could be rather entertaining. Yet, he was not in the mood. The elf tossed the knife over his right shoulder, it landed quietly relatively near the boulder. " I won't' hurt you low life." At least physically he added to himself. "I cannot speak for my Draconian friend though and well...... She has not had anything to eat for a while and I'll safely bet the cat is not enough to end her hunger." The elf lifted an eyebrow and snatched the bottle from his hand. " So behave and-" The bottle slipped out of his hand shattering. " Oops." The elf said dryly. "As I was saying behave and I'll assure your safety." He did not know how long the drunk man had been watching, but due to his intoxicated state it was safe to assume he wouldn't be able to piece together the facts they had just met.

Everett stood up. Hopefully Agate would play along, or at least handle the man in her way. He turned to walk away but stopped, glancing at the man, the draconian, and then the cat. The elf shook his head before returning to the camp fire.

[sumdood]

Aldos walked into the clearing, out of the trees, to see a group of three there. He pulled up short as Draedan poked his head out of the trees, unable to push his enormous girth further through the forest without disturbing the trees from their places.
"It would seem this clearing wasn't empty after all," Draedan said to Aldos as the three of them turned to look at them.

[Lynx]

Shasha? Oh. A cat. Joy. At least it wasn't one of those vicious ones that hated everything alive. The cat seemed actually rather disinterested in the whole affair. Wrinkling her snout as the man spoke, she shook him a bit. "No more drinks for you tonight, mate," she said firmly as Everett tore the bottle from the man's grasp. Approving greatly, she nodded her head at his words. If he hadn't confiscated the man's drink, she would have. "I will not eat a cat!" she disagreed with obvious distaste. "Listen not to his foolishness - Draconians do not eat people or domestic pets." At least Everett shared her distaste for drunkards.

Another rustle came from the bushes, causing her to crane her neck once more. More drunkards? It was too large to be another cat. Then a man walked out, a huge dragon head behind him. Great. More Riders. It wasn't that she hated them, just that they always seemed to be poking their heads in where they didn't belong. No doubt they were quite a sight. An elf with broken glass around him and a Draconian hoisting up a highly inebriated man were a bit suspicious. "Indeed not," she said firmly, "I cannot see why you thought so - there is a fire. But you are welcome to stay with us, though I fear your dragon friend cannot fit much further without destroying the forest." Agate cast a bright green eye at the pair. Yes, there was no way the dragon would get through without destroying something.

[sumdood]

Draedan snorted at the little cousin of his.
"No, little one, I cannot. And we thought it was deserted because earlier I flew ahead and saw it and there was nothing here. So, I flew back to bring Aldos here. He insisted on walking, which has made the trip much more difficult."
"Quit complaining, Draedan," Aldos laughed,"Now, I'm just curious, but what's with the strange scene here?"

[Everett]

Everett shook his head before sitting down. " The drunkard doesn't know the difference. For all we know, your just a boring hallucination." The picked up his knife again, before he began to work on his carving. Agate would handle the drunk man, she would not bother him beyond belief. For the five minutes the two talked, he could at least say her company was some what enjoyable. "Three is a party." He mumbled to himself.
The elf turned his head. Something else was coming out of the bushes. "A man and his dragon." It was safe to assume it was a dragon rider. "Well that gets rid of all possibilities that he would be bothered in his sleep. "Well I thought it was safe to assume there would not be many people here. Hence why this is where I camped, yet oddly enough you-" He gestured in their direction with his knife. "People appear." The elf slowly began to chip away the piece of wood. "Ironic how life works?"

[sumdood]

Draedan curled his neck up and spat acid onto the trees that were blocking his way. They disintegrated quickly within moments, allowing him to pass into the clearing. Once he had, he thudded right up to the Elf, stuck his face in the Elf's, and said,"Show respect. You're speaking to an Elder of the Riders' Council. He made his way up from poverty to this position, and he deserves your respect."
"Draedan!" Aldos said, coming up behind the large green dragon,"Come on! Settle down!"
Draedan turned to look at Aldos and then walked off, settling on one side of the clearing,"I'm sorry about that. He's very protective of me, even though I can take care of myself."