*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 17:41:44 GMT -5
"How would they even know we're here?" Parker asked. "Even if they were following the ship, I don't think even they could have followed us through that storm."
~*~*~
(I mean, he still could, if just might not end up the way he wants it to. XD)
The brothers said nothing. They already thought that they were dating, even if they hadn't said anything to confirm that. And while they both felt the need to do their brotherly duties and threaten and tease, they knew now wasn't the time for either. They would be doing that at a later date. Now, they simply led the way to where the archery contest was set up. It was kind of the main event for the daylight hours, and already a lot of people were gathered around. Some of the contestants were even taking a few practice shots while they waited.
~*~*~
Kyra turned to face him, arms crossed. She had made this mess, made things awkward and put the distance between them. She was the one who would have to fix that. The thing was, she was never good at doing that. Where would she even begin? She sighed. "Look, Morgan, about these past few weeks," she started, the words just not falling into place. "They were cruel. I know. I haven't exactly liked it, but it happened. But if we're going to be accepting this mission from Sebastian, then we've got to figure out where we stand."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 30, 2021 18:25:47 GMT -5
Sol shrugged. "I don't know how exactly, but I do know birds are some of the best navigators in the world. Their instinct for it is uncanny. I don't doubt they'll find me. It's just a matter of when."
~ • ~ • ~ ( Maybe he'd try it if her brothers weren't there. xD )
Aidan beat the to the archery range — surprise, surprise — but as soon as Seth and the Dorrehs caught up, he started oohing and ahing over the practicing archers, and several times he would point to one and ask Seth, "Can you do that? Oooh, can you do that? How about that?" Each time Seth just laughed or smiled and answered with a simple "Yes."
~ • ~ • ~ Morgan was quiet for a long time, mulling over her words. Finally he said quietly, "Well, where is that? I'd rather not get the silent treatment, extreme edition, again but other than that, Kyra..." He sighed. "I just want to be your friend." Of course, they both knew that wasn't really want he wanted, but if that was all he could get, he'd take it, no questions asked. He had ignored his feelings for her for years; what was a few more weeks?
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 18:40:40 GMT -5
Since he really didn't have anything else to argue with that, Parker simply nodded. He hoped someone would be able to find them, whether it be birds or people.
~*~*~
(Dang brothers! XD)
Anya scanned the crowd of assembled at the range, doing her best to seem like she wasn't doing it at all. So far, there were familiar faces, but none she was avoiding.
"I'll go get us signed up," Ryner said, clapping Seth on his free arm. "You be getting those bows ready. I'm certain going to take advantage of a few practice shots before the contest begins."
~*~*~
"I'll always be your friend," Kyra muttered, giving another sigh. Gods, she really wasn't cut out for talking through these things. "You've laid out your boundaries. Fine, I can handle that. But if this is to work, you'll have to abide by the boundaries I set as well."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 19:08:04 GMT -5
Parker ate the last bite of his food before reaching for his boots. "No, I'll come with you. I need to move about or I'll feel worse," he said, even as his muscles protested his movements. The more he moved, the more he would work the stiffness out of his back. "Plus, I'll need to know where everything is in case I need to go without you."
~*~*~
Anya and Felix followed. "I don't guess you'll be needing to practice, will you?" Felix asked.
~*~*~
Kyra didn't share his smile. If she was making amends for her actions, he would have to as well. Starting with this. "I am not a damsel. I know your instincts are to swoop in and save the day, but unless I'm absolute out of options, I don't need you interfering," she told him. "I've survived this long on my own, and I can keep doing it."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 30, 2021 19:31:56 GMT -5
Sol didn't argue. Truth be told, until he figured out what had been lurking about last night, he didn't want Parker left alone. So he stood and offered Parker a hand to pull him up.
~ • ~ • ~ "For this?" Seth looked around, seeing not just the ranges, archers, and targets, but also the wind, and anything else that might hinder a shot. "No, probably not," he answered truthfully. From what he could see, this would be pretty basic shooting.
~ • ~ • ~ Morgan sighed and tipped his head back so he was staring at the ceiling. "I know you're not a damsel, Kyra. I wasn't trying to treat you like one. I was just worried, and restless. You don't need me to save you, but I can't just sit back and do nothing when you're in trouble. I am not made for doing nothing." He lowered his gaze to hers. "Besides, just because you can, it doesn't mean you should always have to. It's okay to ask for help once in a while." He looked away again. "But you didn't ask last time, and I'm sorry. But I can't promise I won't do it again. I know that's what you want, but I just... can't."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 30, 2021 20:48:11 GMT -5
"Inland and uphill. That's probably our best bet for finding fresh water." Sol stoked up the fire, so he wouldn't have to rekindle it later, then set out across the beach toward the forest. He kept his pace slower this time for Parker's benefit.
☆~☆~☆ Seth pulled out the bow and quiver he had lent Felix. "I'm actually not big on drawing attention. I can, and I don't usually mind it when I've got it, but if given the choice I try to avoid it. It's always been easier in my line of work."
☆~☆~☆ "When have I not given you that chance, wild heart? Last week was a first. Before, I never got between you and your fight unless absolutely necessary - and I can count on one hand the number of times that happened. But the difference is, I was with you then, when you got in trouble. I wasn't last week, and that's why I went a little overboard. I had no idea what I was walking into, no idea what kind of help you might need."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 21:02:09 GMT -5
Parker set out right behind him. His night of sleep helped him be able to keep up with Sol a little better. He at least didn't feel like he was going to trip every other step. "You know, if it weren't for the whole being stuck here, this might actually be fun," he commented after several silent minutes.
~*~*~
At that, Anya gave a small snort of amusement. "Says the man who led an entire band to his brother's birthday party," she said.
~*~*~
"And that's why you take more than two seconds to observe the situation before barging in," Kyra muttered before shaking her head. "With that being said, there's one more boundary I expect you to follow: I never, under any circumstances, unless I am unconscious or dying, want you to use any kind of magic on me without my say so ever again."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 21:18:27 GMT -5
Parker shrugged. "Probably what we're doing now. Exploring and just seeing what we could find," he answered. "Only without the slight chance of never leaving."
~*~*~
"Your 'try' never seems to work. You like the spotlight too much," Anya told him. Not that it was a bad thing in some cases. When he preformed on stage, for instance. No one could fault him for enjoying the attention he got while he sang.
~*~*~
(You're fine!)
"For the simple reason that I am not a magic user and cannot do anything to stop you," Kyra said. Then softened her tone a little. "I have seen too many women in the camp be forced into things because of a Rider or other magic user. I've seen too often the aftermath that causes. I swore to myself that I would do what I could to keep that from happening to me, so I refuse any unwanted magic, even if it's healing. And if ever the day should come I can't avoid it, than I made sure I have the skills to get revenge when given the chance. So even though I know you would never do anything like that, it is something I will not back down on."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 22:04:59 GMT -5
That had Parker smirking a bit. "You can build a boat?" he asked skeptically.
~*~*~
Anya gave a one shoulder shrug. "Someone's got to keep things interesting," was her reply.
~*~*~
"You have a point, but I'm sure even you can agree that sometimes you never know even a friendly dog, no matter the breed, can turn and bite when you least expect it," Kyra pointed out. "Like I said, I trust you, but it's still the fact that you taking it into your own hands to use your magic on me takes away the control of a situation. That control is fragile, and I care very much for it. That doesn't mean I distrust everyone. I have no problems with a lot of Riders, but I have established my limits and where I stand, and they understand that. I am cautious, Morgan. And I would rather just keep things as safe as I can."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 30, 2021 22:29:02 GMT -5
His smirk faded as surprise took over. "You built the Comet?" he asked. "How?"
~*~*~
(Lol, I understood what you meant. XD)
Anya smiled slightly at that. At the same time, Ryner returned. "Alright, where's that fancy bow. There's at least two girls looking our way, and I'm going to give them something to watch," he said with a grin.
~*~*~
Kyra nodded. "Thank you. Besides, there really shouldn't be any reason to use magic in the first place, so that one shouldn't be a big issue," she said. Other than healing, and she didn't intend to be hurt anymore than she could help.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 30, 2021 23:05:18 GMT -5
"Piece by piece," Sol replied with pride. "I didn't build her from scratch. Technically, I rebuilt her. She was one of the last Pirate King's conquests, half-sunk and stashed as a trophy in one of the bays of Pirate Island. He called it Shipwreck Cove because it was full of all the wrecked ships he had attacked during his years as King. When I usurped him, I inherited his ship and crew as well as his crown, but I didn't want anything to do with that band of filthy pirates, or their ship. So I took my pick of the wrecked ships and returned her to her glory. Beckham helped, and my senior crew mates. They were all with me in the navy, and followed me when I made the switch to pirate. And it was actually Beckham who named her."
☆~☆~☆ Seth glanced toward the mentioned girls, a little surprised to find they were actually there. He turned back to Ryner with a smirk. "What, you're not enough as is?" he teased. But he pulled out the bow and a quiver and handed them over.
☆~☆~☆ Morgan just shrugged. "Eh, you'd be surprised. But just to clarify, I'm just not allowed to use magic on you, right? Or am I supposed to stop using it altogether when I'm around you?" He doubted she would take thing that far - she was surrounded by magic users on a pretty regular basis. She couldn't expect them all to stop practicing just because she was around. But after the last blunder, he wanted to be sure.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 31, 2021 19:16:07 GMT -5
"So you only hire hands who are in need of a second chance?" Parker asked. Well, there went a big part of his hope for him extended any offers his way. Even if some of the crew members already wanted him to stay, it wouldn't mean anything if Sol didn't think he was cut out for the life style. Besides, he didn't need any second chances. Sure, his luck might have been bad, but he wasn't in a place he would consider that his life needed turning around.
~*~*~
"That'd be Warren," Felix replied, nodding in the direction where the said man was practicing. He hadn't noticed their presence yet, otherwise he would have come over to talk.
"He takes this competition more seriously than most," Anya replied. "He's good. Takes home first nearly every year."
~*~*~
"I can handle it with Seth. Him I can beat the info out of him," Kyra said. "I can't take two of them. But we are going to do it, right? The mission, I mean. Or do you think it's just a ploy to keep us busy while they look for Seth?"
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 31, 2021 20:47:46 GMT -5
"Yes, but each test is different, and they never know when they're taking it," Sol replied. "It's not really a test, anyway, not in the way you're thinking. It's... well, more a test of character, not skill. Skill can be learned, and I'm not worried about it taking time. But it's a lot harder teaching someone to be a good or bad person if they're just not."
☆~☆~☆ Seth ducked his head to hide a smile. "How do you think it happened, Felix?" he asked. "As far as I can tell, he's disliked me since I got here."
☆~☆~☆ "I'm sure. Do you really think I'd still be here if I knew?" Morgan crossed his arms and studied the floor as he thought. "Anya never had any qualms talking about her family or her hometown, but I never actually asked what the place was called, she she never volunteered the information. I don't even know if that was accident or if she did it on purpose."
( Oooooooo... it should totally be on purpose. We can say it was one of the last things Nick told her before sending her off: Don't tell anyone where you come from. o.o )
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 31, 2021 20:58:54 GMT -5
"That makes sense," Parker replied. He wouldn't want someone who had a bad attitude or flawed morals in the ship. That might cause more problems among the crew than anything. "So when do you give them these tests?"
~*~*~
Felix had to chuckle. "What? A strong, capable Dragon like you coming in here being all badass? There's no way he would have disliked you from day one," he said, but every word dripped with sarcasm. Of course, he knew what Seth meant, and the fact that Anya stared at them in confusion only made it funnier.
~*~*~
"Perhaps she works on the 'no one asked, so I didn't tell' logic," Kyra mutter. She couldn't fault the other girl if that was the case. She pretty much did the same thing. "Let's just hope the letter manages to get through to him."
(Yes! He could say that because she's a Rider, he doesn't want her family to be troubled by unwanted attention if word of where she was from got out, or something like that. I don't see Nick wanting to scare her and think she's going into a trap, but he would word it to make it seem like a natural thing to do. OR maybe he would scare her. Who knows at this point. XD)
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 31, 2021 21:38:21 GMT -5
"When they're ready," Sol answered. He stopped walking, head tilting to one side. "Do you hear that?" Beneath the usual forest sounds was a faint trickling, like water over stone.
☆~☆~☆ Seth laughed. "Well, when you put it like that..." But they both knew it had nothing to do with who or what he was, and everything to do with the fact he came home with Anya.
☆~☆~☆ Morgan nodded, but he had his doubts.
( Shall we skip, or have something cute/awkward happen between them? xD
He'd probably tell her the truth, that being a Rider can be dangerous, so it's best to be careful. ;D )
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 31, 2021 21:46:35 GMT -5
Parker paused in his walking and listened. It took hi a few seconds, but he could hear the trickling of water. He glanced around, trying to pinpoint where it might be coming from. "I think it's coming from that direction," he said, pointing off to the right.
~*~*~
"Then you beating him out of first place is not going to help with matters at all," Felix commented. Then grinned mischievously. "How much can I give you to toy with him and just keep matching his shots until the judges are fed up with it all?"
"Felix, that'd be mean," Anya scolded.
"That's the point," was his response.
~*~*~
(Nah, I'm good. I have the idea that she would eventually start leaving a candle or lantern burning out side her tent like she would in her room's window for him, and they would just cuddle one night, but I have no idea if that would happen now or not.
Works for me! XD)
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 31, 2021 22:03:10 GMT -5
Sol listened for a few more seconds and nodded. "I think you're right." He started walking that way, more quietly than before so he could still hear the water. As they got closer it got louder, and then they were there. A tiny stream wound its way through the foliage, barely noticeable except where it washed over some larger rocks. Sol followed it a ways upriver, and saw that it got a little bigger the farther he went. "There's probably a real stream further upriver," he said.
☆~☆~☆ Seth tried not to grin too obviously. Anya was right, that would be mean, but it was still oh so tempting. "Tell you what," he said. "You don't have to give me anything, and I'll just consider it training. Then everybody wins."
☆~☆~☆ ( Ooooo... I like that. I want that to happen, somehow. I don't care how, but it has to be a thing. )
☆~☆~☆ ( First little Callum snippet. 😈 )
There was no moon tonight, yet as he stalked silently between the tents, Callum could see perfectly fine. His night vision had always been a little better than most, but in recent days he had noticed it getting better and better. All of his senses were getting better, but it was his night vision that he was using the most.
Night hunting was much more productive to his task.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 31, 2021 22:45:05 GMT -5
Sol nodded. "We can set them up on out way back. I want to make sure we can form ourselves a trail from the beach to the larger river without having to pass the stream. Less chance of disturbing the wildlife that way."
☆~☆~☆ Seth shared a grin with the other man before turning to Anya. "Would it help my situation if I told you he tried to hit me the last time we were together?" He hadn't wanted to tell her that, but he didn't want her to be mad at him even less.
☆~☆~☆ ( Okay! :D )
☆~☆~☆ ( It's something I've had playing through my head all day, so I'm finally writing it down. xD But you'll have a chance to respond to it later. ;) )
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