|
|
Post by nightshade on Oct 30, 2020 0:16:48 GMT
Squid darted through the darkness. Water getting increasingly shadowed as they swam deeper. As they swam Squid contemplated her plan. Was it even a good idea? No, of course it was. It was her idea after all. Her claws spread wide as she pulled herself through the waters. A current gave her boost, and without warning, she doubled her speed. Her silver gaze glanced back. Could the odd dragon keep up? Any full blooded Seawing could. If she went any faster though, she’d lose even a full blooded Seawing tail. Seagull had taught her well. Bah, right now she needed to test this dragon and make her own assessment before bringing him to Queen Marina. The queen likely wouldn’t even see them if Squid didn’t have a very good argument. So as they swam deeper, Squid compiled her issues with the dragon. Bright green scales, too bright. Yellow webbing, strange red buds on their back, and red glow scales. Were they an unfortunate birth deformity? Squid growled. Annoyed she didn’t know the answer to this dragon, Mantis. “Breathing difficulties yet Mantis Shrimp?” Squid wondered if he could even read her aquatic at the speed she was swimming. What a sad little Seawing if he couldn’t.
@mantis shrimp
word count 215
|
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Oct 30, 2020 12:54:50 GMT
Mantis was starting to get tired, but he wasn't going to show Squid that. The large dragon turned around to look at him, and Mantis shuddered. Squid was scary. She tilted her wings, and suddenly doubled her speed. Mantis knew that this meant there was a current, so, using his tail as a rudder, he moved into the current, and sped up as well. His wingless body couldn't catch the current as well as Squid could, but he knew that, using his antennae, he could find the very center of the current, where the water moved the fastest. He wondered how much farther they had to go to reach the palace, and what would happen once they reached it. He noticed that Squid was asking him a question, "Breathing... Shrimp?" Mantis couldn't see exactly what she said, but he got the general gist. Squid wanted to know how well he could breathe underwater. He nodded vigorously, and inhaled deeply, pushing the water through his gills. A few air bubbles came out, and he grinned toothily at Squid, making sure to look more confident than he felt. He wished he could be brave, but deep down, he was terrified.Word count: 198 nightshadethatstarryhivewing |
|
|
|
Post by nightshade on Nov 1, 2020 23:50:36 GMT
The reek of his fear filled the water. His fanged grin was a lie, clear as day. At least he could breathe, Squid wasn’t looking forward to the possibility of dragging his unconscious ass to the queen. Not that she couldn’t. If it was necessary she would drag him to the kingdom of sand to exile him. Not that that was her job. Squid shook her head. Bubbles erupted from her gills in her frustration. She allowed her scales to light up in a wave from nose to tail. Leaving the pair in darkness once her scales went out. Squid slowed, then dipped suddenly out of the current. Speeding away but still swimming in the direction of the palace. Any Seawing should be able to find me, let’s see if Mantis boy here can. Squid kept her scales dark. Hopefully making the challenge harder. Her wings beat powerfully against the water. Keeping the large Seawing stable in the dark waters. Squid didn’t know what exactly to make of the other dragon. His coloring was all off. Yet so far he hadn’t failed any tests, then again, Squid hadn’t been going out of her way to challenge him. That was Queen Marina’s job. Overall, he seemed skittish but not cowardly. There was potential.
word count 222
|
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Nov 2, 2020 1:30:30 GMT
Mantis frowned when Squid shook her head. She clearly saw how scared he was. Her scales suddenly lit up, as bright as they could, cascading from her nose to her tail. Mantis blinked, momentarily dazzled, letting his eyes adjust. He wondered if Squid had said anything in aquatic, and turned to her, flashing "What?" at her, before he realized that she had swum out of the current. He looked around, trying to see her or sense her movements using his antennae. There! A disturbance in the water to his left! He turned in her direction as quickly as he could. Turning was harder using just a tail and no wings. He caught up to her so he was next to her, annoyed. "Why? he asked in Aquatic. As he said it, though, he realized he knew why. The same reason Squid had done any of the things she'd done on their swim. To test him, see if his night vision worked. Mantis shifted. He hadn't used his night vision to find her. He moved his antennae as out-of-sight as he could, self-consciously. A proper Seawing would have been able to find her without antennae. Mantis nodded at Squid, hoping she wouldn't notice his antennae. Word count: 204 nightshade |
|
|
|
Post by nightshade on Nov 2, 2020 2:19:17 GMT
Squid was both pleased and annoyed that Mantis found her so quickly. Apparently his strange coloration did not hinder him. Admirable, but still bothersome. ”Why?“ Squid balked. Was he really so slow? And she was just giving him a chance too. Damn. Squid lowered her head into her clawed hand. Clearly disappointed in Mantis’ question. With her head covered, the Seawing missed the antennae flickering on the other dragon’s head. Slowly her scales flashed in response. ”I’m done. I’m taking you to the Queen and then we will go our separate ways. Understood?” She lifted her snout gradually. Silver eyes somehow visible in the dark. Squid dragged her claws down her face, hooking on various nicks and slashes on her face and throat. Old scars, many from skirmishes in her youth. There was one large scar though. A slash on the left side of her neck from her jaw to shoulder blade. She flared her gills, bringing the scar to the surface in an intimidation display. ”Lets go. Queen Marina awaits.” Squid dipped into the current once more. Tail thrashing behind her. Soon, in the distance, the grand Deep Palace came into sight. The purple Seawing swam faster, invigorated by the sight of her home.
word count 210
|
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Nov 2, 2020 16:05:17 GMT
Mantis was surprised to see Squid put her head in her talons. He hadn't thought he had done anything particularly disappointing. Squid turned to look at him, flashing her scales. "I'm done. I'm taking you... Queen and then... will go our... ways. Understood?" He slowed down a bit. He thought he'd done quite a good job proving himself, but apparently, he'd failed. Again. He nodded dejectedly. Squid lifted her snout, and Mantis was once again reminded of how many scars she had. She could definitely kill him easily if she decided she wanted to. He supposed it was some small luck that she hadn't hurt him yet. "Queen... waits" She turned and went back into the current. Mantis followed her. He wondered how much farther the palace was. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long to find out. The palace was huge! Way bigger than his village, which was an entire island! Mantis suddenly realized the gravity of the situation he was in. He was being taken to the Queen! By a big dragon who hated him so much she wanted to make sure he got kicked out of the Tribe as soon as she met him. He balked, slowing down, while Squid sped up. He pushed his uneasiness and fear down, shook his head, and shot after her. Word count: 219 nightshade |
|
|
|
Post by nightshade on Nov 2, 2020 20:22:39 GMT
The Deep Palace sung home to Squid. This is where Seagull raised her. These halls, these waters, these dragons, she knew them. She didn’t love them per say, but she was comforted by them. The lights of Seawing’s scales lighting up in aquatic gave the whole thing an ethereal glow. Squid looked back to Mantis; He looked frightened. The Seawing snarled. He didn’t belong here. Those weird flowing second pair of horns, and that wasn’t even the strangest part of him. Squid spun back around the green dragon. Pulling a small current behind her. ”Keep up.” Her aquatic was fast paced but clear. She darted through the waters after that. Queen Marina would know what to do with this dragon. The end decision is not mine to make; I’ll state my case and that will be the end of my contribution. Squid thought to herself as a grimace crossed her face. The royal guards had sighted her and were lowering their spears. ”State your name and purpose.” Squid stopped and growled. The guards were unimpressed. ”Squid. I’m bringing this dragon to Queen Marina to decide his fate.” She pointed to Mantis with her tail. ”Well? Can we go in? He’s no threat, the idiot can barely swim.” The guards paused, considering. One disappeared into the great doors. A few minutes later he returned. ”Queen Marina will see you now.” Squid pushed her way through the guards and inside the throne room.
word count 251
|
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Nov 2, 2020 21:13:50 GMT
Mantis flinched as Squid snarled at him. What had he done wrong now? She spun around him and said something in Aquatic he didn't understand. She then swam away. He followed, hoping she hadn't said something like "stay here" or "don't move". He slowed slightly as the guards at the gates pointed their spears at him. They said something in aquatic, and Squid growled. Mantis stopped swimming. "Squid... Dragon... Marina..." was all Mantis understood. Squid gestured at him when she said "dragon". He gathered that she was telling them she was taking Mantis to the queen. He tried to look as nonthreatening as possible. Squid said something else in aquatic, which ended in "...swim" One of the guards turned and swam into the door, and a few minutes later, he came back, saying something like "...Marina..." and then Squid went into the door. Mantis followed, hoping he was allowed inside, and found himself in a really large hallway. He followed Squid closely, figuring she knew where she was going. After a bit of walking, he found himself in a huge room with a large chair in the center. Seated on the chair was an imposing green dragon. He bowed, hoping he got the position right.
Word count: 205
nightshade
thatstarryhivewing |
|
|
|
Post by thatstarryhivewing on Nov 3, 2020 21:26:25 GMT
The Queen looked at the two figures, raising an eyebrow in skepticism. The dragonet before her was... Eye-catching. Bright yellow fins contrasted noticeably with his green scales, and the red scales see for aquatic were prominent. Glancing at Squid, she flashed, 'Where did you find him? And what on earth has this dragonet done?' Without waiting for an answer, she turned to the dragonet. 'Can you speak aquatic?' She flashed at him, before adding with what she hoped was a comforting expression, but may have looked a little menacing to be honest 'And what's your name? I can't keep calling you dragonet.' She pulled out a scroll, just in case, and handed it to the dragonet along with a squid ink pen. She nearly laughed at the irony. (Squid, Squid ink, get it? She internally laughed at herself).
Before realising the time.
She had meant to meet Akoya she went on her daily swim, Marina cherished a noticeable, if you asked anyone who lived near the palace, or secret if you asked another Seawing, crush on the Scholar. In other words, she was a lovesick puppy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Nov 3, 2020 22:51:09 GMT
Mantis squirmed below the Queen's gaze. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he lowered his head. She turned to Squid, and flashed something in Aquatic that had the word "...Dragon..." in it. Perhaps she was asking her why Squid had brought Mantis here. She then turned to Mantis and asked him something in Aquatic. He only knew it was a question because she used one of the lights below her eyes, but he wasn't sure what kind of question it was. She paused to make a condescending face at him, and flashed something else, ending in the word "...dragon". She then pulled out a scroll and a pen and ink, and looked at him expectantly. Mantis paused, unsure what she wanted him to do. He dipped the pen in the ink* and wrote, "My name is Mantis shrimp."[/] He paused, then wrote "And I'm sorry, but I don't understand or speak Aquatic very well." and handed the scroll back to the queen, embarrassed. He wished he'd been taught aquatic. He wished he'd known more words than just the ones he'd picked up by watching other dragons. He dipped his head, not wanting to see the queen's face when she read what he'd wrote.
Word count: 204
nightshade
thatstarryhivewing
OOC - *Assuming the pen, ink, and scroll are all waterproof in some way |
|
|
|
Post by nightshade on Nov 4, 2020 4:11:37 GMT
The queen didn’t hesitate, already asking questions. ”Where did you find him? And what on earth has this dragonet done?” Squid answered her queen immediately, even if her attention was fleeting. Moving on to ask something of Mantis. ”I found him in the Bay of Thousand Scales my queen. He’s yet to do anything, but his appearance is so startling I felt it best if you had the chance to address it. As you can see, his coloration is very off to be that of a Seawing. As is his build.” Squid growled, not asking for permission to speak, nor to add her own thoughts. She simply did. The Seawing swam to the side of Mantis. Claws pointing to the red buds atop his shoulders. ”See my queen? I’ve never seen such strange appendages on a dragon before, save for some poor unfortunate souls who lost their wings in battle.” Silver eyes challenged the queen, daring her to simply wave it off. Squid glared at the queen, wondering how she’d react to this information. She was going to add more, but decided not to. As she’d told herself before, this wasn’t her job. At this point, this dragon’s life is in Queen Marina’s claws. So Squid hovered silently, eyes accusing.
word count 221
|
|
|
|
Post by thatstarryhivewing on Nov 16, 2020 21:33:50 GMT
Marina's eyes scanned the words on the page, noting the dragonet's handwriting style. She looked up, sent Squid a small glare back, while borrowing the pen to write a quick note back to the Mantis shrimp. 'Don't worry Mantis shrimp.' She wrote, bringing out a new scroll. 'If it makes you feel better, it did take me a while to get used to flashing certain scales.' A pause. 'If you don't mind me asking, why are your wings like that? Is it genetic?' After which followed a hastily scribbled, 'You don't have to tell me if it's a touchy subject, I just want to make sure you're not a threat.' The Queen had learned not to judge on looks early on, some of the most dangerous dragons she knew would seem harmless from a stranger's point of view. She passed the note to Mantis shrimp, before turning to Squid. "Where did you find him?" She flashed in aquatic, turning the majority of her attention to the guard. "Was he doing anything suspicious?" She know anything about what had happened, and it was making her slightly nervous. Still, she settled into a more regal pose and waited for Squid's verdict. nightshade @mantis Shrimp |
|
|
|
Post by Mantis Shrimp on Nov 23, 2020 16:27:48 GMT
Mantis sighed with relief as the queen took the pen to write a message back to him. He was glad she hadn't gotten instantly suspicious that he couldn't speak Aquatic, like Squid had. 'Don't worry, Mantis Shrimp. If it makes you feel better, it did take me a while to get used to flashing certain scales.' It did make him feel better. Maybe she won't be mad after all, a tiny, hopeful part of his brain whispered. The queen continued to write. 'If you don't mind me asking, why are your wings like that? Is it genetic?' Mantis's heart sank. You knew she'd ask! You were preparing for it! 'You don't have to tell me if it's a touchy subject, I just want to make sure you're not a threat.' Mantis shook his head vigorously, and took the extra scroll the queen had brought out. 'I'm not a threat, I promise! I don't know why my wings are this way,' He paused, thinking about how to word what he wanted to say. 'I don't know if it's genetic. Nobody in my village told me why I look this way. I never knew my parents,' he wondered if this was enough information. He looked sheepishly at the Queen, who was now looking at Squid, no doubt waiting to hear her side of the story. Word count: 223 thatstarryhivewingnightshade |
|
|
|
Post by nightshade on Dec 6, 2020 1:31:13 GMT
”Where did you find him?” Squid scowled. Rather annoyed to see that the queen had evidently ignored her answer to that question already. Queen or not, Squid had no qualms in being snarky with her response. ”Was he doing anything suspicious?” The purple seawing’s distaste grew. Not only had she been cut off, now the queen was adding to her questions. It wasn’t her job to decide that, it was the queen’s! Squid fought a snarl. Her tail thrashed, venting her frustration for her. Pigeon would certainly get an earful next time she saw the Skywing. The red dragon always listened quietly to Squid’s raging roars whenever they met up. Unlike most everyone else. Who, like the queen, pestered her when she was supposed to be the one making decisions! Or, like the odd dragon Mantis, couldn’t even speak! Damn. I hate them all. Squid thought to herself.
”As I said to begin with, Queen Marina, I found him in the Bay of a Thousand Scales. And no, he wasn’t doing anything suspicious besides having RED glow scales and having shitty aquatic. Can I go?” Squid growled. Completely unafraid of the consequences for speaking to the queen in such a way. She might not be being as foul as Squid could, but she was still saying her mind. The dragon was a possible threat with his abnormalities. Squid couldn’t have that. She may not be currently employed, but the seawing would always act as if she were guarding the queen herself. Anything and anyone is a possible threat. And I’ll be dead before I allow a threat to go unchecked!
word count 281
|
|
|
|
Post by Bronzewing on Jan 29, 2021 13:18:28 GMT
@mantis_shrimp nightshade Ascidian stayed on her throne, the queen of the SeaWings seeming rather...tired. Her claws clutched on tightly to the ornate throne beneath her, eyes flicking from place to place. The bodyguards that were a permanent fixture to her side turned to her, but as soon as her dark eyes met their gaze, they rapidly turned away from her. She appreciated that- while they were always around, they were still greatly beneath her. None of them had any relation to her and would never, ever become queen. Royal bodyguard was the highest they would ever get, and they were wonderfully replaceable. Turning to the door, she saw two dragons swim in- the blue dragon watched as one of them bowed in front of her. They were a strange looking thing- too bright for the normal dragon, too strange for a SeaWing, and she had never seen a dragon with red scales like that. Hers were a more normal yellowish color- and as she thought about it, she had never seen a dragon with scales of red... They were probably a hybrid, of course! Squid had brought a hybrid SeaWing into her domain. She only hoped that it wasn't one of the dangerous types. "Now who's this?" she asked with a flash of her scales, lowering her head to get a better look at the two dragons from her vantage point on the throne. "I've never seen them around before, and with those colors..." She gave Squid an accusing look, raising a scaled eyebrow before going back to her neutral expression. At her sides she could see the guards start to tense just in case.
word count: 278
|
|
