Paradox laid in the sand by the beach and stared up at the mighty airships flying almost silently overhead. She had never flown in the mighty crafts but had always desired to. It couldn't have been that different from flying on the back of a dragon. She smiled to herself, she was only centaur that she had heard of to do that. For now she was content to lie here and watch the incoming passengers arriving of the airships and the nearby dock. She would spend a few nights at the inn a mile or two up the beach, where most of the guests would be staying.

She had heard rumors of the inn being haunted, but she wasn't intimidated by that prospect. She settled herself down on the warm sand and rolled in it playfully, sending the small particles flying in the air off of her hooves. She was still for a second, her hair and tail free from their usually braids as she enjoyed the liberating sand. She rolled back onto her side and eyed the new individuals coming to the mainland. Some were dressed odd and, if she turned her ears slightly, she could pick up their speech in a fluent foreign tongue.

She snorted and shook herself before standing. Her large hooves dug into the sand, making deep pockets where she stepped. She made her way slowly to the surf, where the sand was more compact and stable. She stood at the edge, letting the cold water lap at her forelegs and smack over her hooves. She casually brushed the sand out of her fur and ran her fingers through her hair. She stepped further into the water, allowing the liquid to wash off the fine dust that had settled on her flanks.

When she was done in the ocean, she walked back out and made her way towards the dock. She was curious about the newcomers. Each individual smelling and looking unique from the others. She glanced over to the side at a couple that was stepping off the ship, a man and a woman. She cocked her head to the side and perked her ears forward in interest. They seemed different from the rest. The woman wearing feathers and the man covered in foreign markings. 

She had never seen their sort before on her travels and she was intrigued by their scents and appearances. Their body language told her that they didn't really know where or what to do and seemed hopelessly lost. She maneuvered her large body through the crowd of people towards them, careful to avoid stepping on anyone or pushing them too roughly. She flicked her tail and felt it slap someone gently in the arm. Her hooves clicked on the creaking planks below her as they bared her weight. She made her way across the dock to the newcomers, her gaze never dropping from them.

The Silver Dove, it was a pretty affordable airship for middle class families who wished to travel back and forth between the Floating City and Wyllmochvar. Although their usual scenic route got interrupted when the airship's engines were getting disturbances by a large burst of energy that came out of nowhere. Unbeknownst to the crew they accidentally crossed paths with a portal that inconveniently opened right in their cargo chambers. These portals weren't that common anymore, they were the simple aftershocks of a past catastrophe.

The air crackled and hummed like an invisible Tesla coil, until it began to split and tear open a portal. If one were to look inside they'd see several forms getting larger and larger the closer they came to the portal. Their voices strained from combat, the distinct buzzing of insect wings, and the blasts of energy attacks.

The strangers were flung against some crates, disoriented and hurting they glanced around briefly, trying to get their bearings straight. Ramla's eyes grew wide as she scrambled away from the broken crates when she saw how two creatures slipped through the portal and aimed their long, thin blades at them. Nihr however didn't get so lucky with avoiding them as one of the blades managed to nick the right side of his waist. While he fought one armored bug, she handled the other one but it was difficult for all of them to try and keep a steady stance as the ship was currently trying to stabilize itself due to the portal's energies. Without a moment of hesitation she manipulates the shadows cast by random objects inside the cargo chamber, bringing her hands together but not clasped as if she were trying to form an invisible ball. Gathering the shadows into one big blob of darkness on the floor before raising her hands on either side of her head with clawed fingers, her hands imitating that of a monster's. And at the same time the black blob moved upwards and formed a white-eyed, shark-toothed monster that attempted to grasp the insectoid with a snarl. 

The creature startled and raised its blade to shield itself from the snarling monster that towered over him. In that moment Ramla saw her opportunity and lunged through the shadow illusion and kicked the creature into the chest to push it back into the closing portal. But right as the portal closed, the bug shoved its blade through the crack and stabbed Ramla in the thigh, making her scream in surprise as the sharp pain hit her. With the portal now closed it cut the limb that wielded the blade clean off. Ramla pulled the blade out and immediately put pressure on the wound as blood began to drip down.

Nihr quickly picked her up, helping her over to one of the crates and inspected her wounds. Leaning back on her hands she let him tend to her wounds. She was tired from all the running, all the chaos, the pain, the fire… Her mind began to wander and soon tears began to form in the corner of her green eyes. She didn't hear him talk to her, her heart aching for her loved ones, her entire bloodline… gone in the blink of an eye. A strangled whimper escaped her lips when she felt his warm hand against her cheek and brought her back to reality, staring into his red, almost brown eyes. She needed to feel something else than this, but before she could kiss him he pulled away and forced her to walk so they could leave this place behind. Who knows when another portal might open up again… But more importantly, where were they?

Looking around as they walked through the ship she noticed the windows, and that it was daylight outside. As they passed by a corridor with some cloaks hanging she quickly snatched one. A deep purple with a hood attached to it, pretty but simple which for now will do. While glancing at the people every now and then, as she wrapped her cloak around her for disguise, she noticed how very out of place they both were. their clothes did not fit whatever world they were in. her dress was a simple black, evening dress with some feathery decorations on it, and she wore matching black heels which were no help to her when they got ambushed.

The crew tried to reassure their passengers that all was well, that the turbulence was caused by a glitch in the engines. Hence why they were making an emergency landing back on the coast just to be on the safe side. Only, Ramla could not understand a word they were saying so she had no clue what was going on. Were they to blame for the panic? Perhaps the portal had interfered with their navigation system or something like that? Confusion was clear on her face as she followed Nihr , trying to keep a straight face and to limb as little as she could.

Avoiding the gazes of the public they made their way to the outside of the ship, maybe they could see land in the distance? But one thing she was sure of, this wasn't Earth anymore. Once outside the bright sun nearly blinded so she pulled her hood down even further, groaning as she followed Nihr as he guided her to the railing. but then she froze, no ocean…but sky?! They were flying? THEY WERE FLYING!!! Before she could flee back inside the cabins, Nihr grabbed her by the collar and pulled her into an embrace, placing her in between himself and the railing, forcing her to endure this torture. her hands clenched both the railing and his arm, as if her life depended on it, as if she were the one who was going to fall from the sky. She growled the moment she heard him laugh.

She couldn't wait to get off this ship. So as soon as the crew members allowed the passengers to get off the ship, she was practically racing them. She ran until her feet were back on solid ground. When Nihr was by her side she punched him in the gut, making sure that it hurt nice and good with his current injuries. When she was done glaring at him she glanced around, inspecting the surroundings."Where are we?" she asked Nihr, both of them speaking in a foreign language that had a somewhat Egyptian flair to it. An accent that was surely going to follow them as they explore these lands. She sighed, she didn't have the energy to argue with him when they picked a random direction and started walking.

As they walked Ramla was leaning against Nihr who was helping her walk with her limb. People seemed to have lost interest in them…Good. less fuss that way. Or maybe she was wrong because right in their path stood a Centaur. She couldn't believe her eyes, weren't these creatures of fairy tales? The way the blonde stared at them…dead set to reach them as it carefully pushed through the crowd. Ramla looked up at Nihr for a moment as he too was staring at the Centaur. Unsure of what was to happen, right now she just wanted to sleep.

They were surrounded by flames with no escape in sight. breathing heavily from exhausting himself as he tossed the armored limb aside. Looking over his shoulder, noting that Ramla would not be able to fight any much longer. Was this it? Was this how he'd breathe his final breath, by the flame? By these parasites? He sighed…feeling defeated. His shoulders began to slum as he took a few steps back. Ramla standing by his side as she held her wounded arm. Looking down at her as they surrounded them to prepare for the finishing blow. He never got to tell her how sorry he was…for everything.

He blinked a few times, his brows knitted together in confusion and worry. The air felt different, as if it were charged with electricity during a stormy night. Suddenly a crack formed itself behind them, their hairs standing on end like static. "God?" He said as he doubted his sanity for a moment. Ramla didn't think twice as she grabbed him by the hand and ran towards their only salvation now. As they slipped through the crack, falling through the psychedelic tunnel as gravity began to slowly take over, making them fall faster and faster.

Behind them Nihr could hear the familiar clicking and buzzing again. It seems their foes was of the persistent type as three insectoids decided to follow them through the crack. Nihr flipped himself over while Ramla kept him steady and close to her, firing his last remaining dark energy bolts towards them, managing to kill one of them as it split in half. he felt Ramla tugging on his shirt to get his attention and when he turned around he was just in time to witness how the portal was ejecting them both into a cargo chamber.

Wincing as his shoulder crashed into wood, breaking the crate under the impact of his arrival. For a moment he was dizzy, looking to his side to see Ramla scampering away. Frowning he looked back at the portal and shifted his position at the last minute so that the incoming blade would rather nick his right side than stab him in the chest. The blade now stuck in the wooden debris behind him, he balled his hands and hit the creature across the face, stunning it for a sec before kicking it back with his feet. The two of them brawled for a few moments, until Nihr had enough of this. With his remaining strength he shoved the insectoid into the broken crates and began pounding it with his fists again and again until he finished it off with its own blade, stabbing it in the exoskeleton that was its chest. Panting for a bit as he caught his breath he startled when he heard Ramla suddenly scream. Whipping his head around he watched as the portal was finally closing on its own again, quickly reaching for the female and helping her towards the crates that survived their arrival.

He carefully lifted her arm to check the cut that was on her upper arm. The wound wasn't that bad, with time it would heal and not even leave a scar behind. Crouching down he lifted the skirt and checked her left thigh, now that one looked painful. Arching his brows and letting out a whistle, he tore a piece from the sleeve of his business shirt and used it to wrap it around her thigh to stop the bleeding. he saw her flinch and chuckled, "I thought you were supposed to be faster than me?" he looked up when she wasn't answering and saw the tears forming. He knew why, and for who they were. He frowned at that…but didn't know why. Getting up he reached his hand over to her face and cupped it gently , placing his forehead against hers, bringing their lips together so close that their breath tickled the skin. But before their lips would meet he got up abruptly and pulled her up with him, and together they made their way to the upper levels of whatever ship they were on.

It had to be a ship when you look at the structure and the thought that the architect put into it. But why didn't he hear water? Passing through the hallways as they tried to blend in with the passengers, whom all had panicked and worry-stricken faces. It seems their trip caused a commotion but hopefully when people would look at them they would just view them as tourists or some very, eccentric people from another land. Here and there he'd see some crew-members trying to calm down people in a language he hadn't heard of before. 

Glancing at Ramla every now and then to make sure she could keep up, he had to smirk. Not just any smirk, it was a very knowing smirk for the people who knew him. A grin of mischief. He noticed something when he looked out the windows and discovered why there was the absence of ocean. He too grabbed a nearby cloak that was left unguarded, a simple brown one that was a bit ragged at the bottom but it had a hood which he quickly put over his head and then continued to follow the flow of the passengers. It wasn't long when they were finally being guided outside the ship, by the railing as the coast came into view. He felt her stiffen when he pulled her into an embrace, and heard the faint squeal of panic in her voice. Forcing her to stand in front of him, clenched between his broad chest and the railing. He couldn't help but laugh at the vice grip she had on him.

He brought his face closer to her, resting his chin on her shoulder trying to make them look like a happy couple. They were already suspicious enough, at least like this people might think they were just fooling around in some broom closet. But when she ran as if the devil was on her tail, he burst into laughter once again. Oh, how he loved those moments, it was just like in the old days. He, unlike Ramla, calmly followed suit. Taking his time to get off and joined her again on the docks.

He looked around himself and sighed, for once he wasn't sure where they were and he had been to many strange places and then to some that were stranger still. "No clue." He answered her. "Let's just pick a direction and go from there." As they walked he scanned the crowd, nothing to weird happening right now. Just a bunch of people who are upset about their cancelled trip. But then there was the Centaur, he eyed her and quirked a brow. A horse-woman, literally. His imagination began to grow wild and wondered from what kind of union that species came forth? He paused, still holding on to Ramla as the Horse-woman approached them. he doubted they'd be able to understand each other, but when in doubt…just nod and smile.

Paradox watched the couple make their way down the docks and stood still. They seemed very tired, and she noticed that the woman was walking with a strange gait. She appeared to have a limp or a bad leg and was trying desperately to hide it. She eyed their clothes, the thick dark colored cloaks covered the majority of their bodies. She eyed a few suspicious looking stains on each of their cloaks and stepped forward to inspect them closer. She stopped right in front of them and looked down at them.

The man appeared to be very protective of the woman next to him. His eyes reminded her of red eyed snake, their bright color standing out in sharp contrast to the rest of his body. He appeared very stiff and tried to move as little as possible. She glanced at the woman and saw that she was purposefully keeping her weight off one of her legs. She blinked at them, saying nothing. She caught the sickly sweet scent of copper, but didn't show a reaction to the knowledge of their injuries.

"Hello visitors," she said slowly, hoping that the pair would understand her words. "I haven't seen your sort around her before. I would be willing to show you around the inn, if you would like." She stole a glance at the woman's pained leg before continuing. "At least let me help you get settled in this foreign land. It would be no trouble at all if I can be of assistance to you." She shifted the weight off one of her hind legs and cocked the hoof to the side as she waited patiently for them to speak.

Both of them paused in their tracks as the Centaur approached them and stood in front of them. Ramla desperately tried to hide her injuries, keeping a straight face despite the pain. Just as Paradox eyed them, Ramla eyed her just the same. Noting how she had horse ears, how her hair seemed to flow down like manes instead of just hair like a human. Her lower body was actually quite attractive, odd but still attractive. Seeing how athletic that part was Ramla had a feeling that fighting her would be tough.

Ramla cocked her head to listen carefully to the words the woman spoke. Nope, still no clue what language it was. She tried to repeat one of the words, usually people shared a greeting first before all else when meeting someone new right? So… "Vie-zi-torr?" Was this a greeting? Did she say it right? Ramla smiled awkwardly at the blonde before she looked up at Nihr for guidance. Her smile quickly faded when she recognized the look on his face, pervert she thought to herself.

When Ramla glanced back at the woman, she noticed how she stared at her leg and then spoke again. A longer and more complicated sentence. But then she saw how the Centaur lifted one of her hind legs. Ramla began to understand what she was trying to do, she was offering help. When she looked down at herself and at Nihr it was no wonder she wanted to offer help. They looked disheveled, stains that were questionable, and they were lost in a new world. Ramla took the risk and patted her limping leg, indicating that she was hurt and accepted her help.

Nihr eyed the woman up and down and left and right. Since he didn't get a hostile vibe from Paradox he relaxed more. But not before flinching a bit when he felt a sharp pain in his side, which he had almost forgotten that he too was wounded. Adrenaline he guessed.

So this was a Centaur, a creature from fairy tales back on Earth? His curious side wondered what her anatomy was like, how two species could mesh together like that on a molecular level. But the perverted side of him wondered about different details about her…Now Nihr has his fair share of women, even the more 'exotic' types. But a Centaur? Well, he thought to himself as he eyed the woman more thoroughly…there's a first time for everything. The thought of it almost made him smirk.

He arched his brows when Paradox spoke to them, greeting them. There really wasn't anything else to say other than… "Hi!" he said with a wave and flashing a smile. For all they knew the Centaur might as well have been insulting them or laughing at how odd they looked. But being odd was the least of his problems right now. His priority now was to seek shelter for the both of them so they could think things through on where to go from here.

He glanced down at Ramla when she apparently decided for herself that it was okay to trust a stranger, trying her best to explain that they were hurt and needed help. He pondered and glanced back and forth between the two women. Bah, why not trust her? Worst case scenario they'll either just run or fight again. He nodded at the blonde Centaur and agreed to follow her and accept her help.

Paradox perked her ears forward as she heard the pair speak. The man said a simple word in greeting and the woman attempted to pronounce one of the words she had already said. She saw the woman smile at her and she was quick to return it. The woman stopped smiling when she cast a glance at her partner. Paradox watched him, his eyes large and slightly glazed over in thought. She snorted and flicked her tail with a slight sense of irritation. 

The woman gestured to her leg and appeared accepting of help. Cautiously, she stepped forward, bending down slightly towards the smaller woman. She grabbed her gently by the arm and lifted her onto her back, allowing her to grab onto her mane if she needed to. She shifted her weight accordingly and straightened herself up upright. She looked down at the man, seeing it was pointless to try and talk to him with her words. She shook her hair, sending it flying wildly in all directions and took at step to the side. 

She turned slowly and started walking away. She could see the inn from here. Depending on how fast the man could walk, they could reach the structure long before nightfall. There would likely be a doctor there that could help them, if not, she did have a few healing herbs in her bags back in her room. She also had knowledge of a few minor spells that could help as well, depending on the extent of the couple's injuries. She stopped after a few steps and looked back at the man.

She moved her head and gestured for him to follow her. She waited a few moments before walking forward once more. The people around them were quick to move out of her way and make room for her massive body and she was careful to avoid bumping into them or stepping on their feet. She waded through the crowd. her upper body high above the sea of humans like a boat. She hoped the man could keep up with her long strides as she made her way to the end of the dock.

Ramla wondered what the Centaur would do. What if she made a mistake trusting the woman, in the weak state they were in there's no chance they could fight off a large opponent such as her. It was pathetic really if people knew where they came from… When Paradox moved closer to her and gently grabbed her arm to guide her towards her back, it took a moment for Ramla to realize what she was trying to do. But for some reason the dark haired woman felt climbing on her back was something intimate… Oh well, if she didn't have to walk. 

Ramla climbed on her back, carefully tugging on her mane to help adjust herself on top of her before nodding at her, indicating she was ready for transportation. As they walked Ramla looked behind her shoulder at Nihr, making sure he was following them and keeping up. For a brief moment she smirked smugly at him. Looks like she was being treated nicer than her was, hehehe…

Nihr was surprised, the Centaur even behaved like a horse. Snorting and flicking her tail, no doubt she saw his thoughts. He chuckled a bit at that but his smile faded when Ramla was offered to ride the female to help her with her limb. Part of him was glad she got help, it was less weight he had to carry with the injuries he currently had. But on the other hand, he envied her. Oh well, let's not make an enemy on our first day here, he thought to himself. With a sigh he followed the pair and got a good view of a horse's ass. Perhaps bedding such a creature was a bit too much for him…How would one go about with wooing them? Let alone make love?

He tried to keep up, taking advantage of the openings that the crowd were giving them so nobody would bump into him and aggravate his wounds. He saw Ramla's smirk. Ooh…Now that's not nice, rubbing it in. He'll have to ask her later what it was like to ride a Centaur. Eyeing the horse-woman again he cocked his head as he wondered…I wonder if she likes riding crops? 

They finally reached the Inn, maybe now they'll be able to get some sleep. Nihr didn't wait for the women and made his way inside, glancing around the patrons. Cozy place, he must say. A nice fireplace, the smell of food, people gawking at him. Yup, this should do for now. He turned to see Ramla entering the Inn, keeping the large woman by her side as support. He smiled briefly, almost softly. That woman and her pride, she must've insisted on getting off and entering the Inn with chin up. Her need to prove that she was strong no matter what.

Paradox was slightly surprised that the man could keep up with her pace. He must not be as injured as she originally thought. The woman on her back was a very secure rider, and she felt that she had ridden horses before or was naturally well adapted in horsemanship. She walked slowly so that she wouldn't get too far ahead of the man and it was not long before they reached the inn. She stopped just outside the doors and felt the weight on her back shift as the woman dismounted. The woman stayed close to her side and Paradox allowed her to lean against her if she needed support.

She ducked under the door as they made their way into the lobby of the inn. There were a few people about and they glanced curiously at the trio that just arrived. The woman at her side hid her limp well and appeared strong and confident. She respected that. She carefully shifted her weight so that the man was helping to support her and she turned and walked away to the desk at the front. She got them a room and a doctor was sent for to come and treat their injuries. 

She went back over to the couple and helped the woman over to their room. Her hooves clicked loudly on the wooden floor and she had a difficult time avoiding the furnishings in the narrow hallway. She ducked into the room and led the woman to a small bed in the corner. "This will be your room for a few days," she said slowly, hoping they could grasp the idea of what was going on. "A doctor is coming to tend your hurts." She was tempted to leave them, so they could have some time to themselves, but thought it was better to wait until after the doctor arrived.