Author: Abzu, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:38 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

"Let us be off then. It's a ways from here but once we're close it's impossible to miss." He didn't seem to be in any rush however. In fact, he quite enjoyed Zamatye Beach in the evening. "How about we take a stroll as we go? Since this place is new to you, if we take our time there's something incredible that happens on the beach once the sun sets. I guarantee it's something you've never seen before." The beach was beautiful during the day, but its true beauty only emerged once night fell. This beach was also one of the safer places during nighttime. Should they stay awhile, Liniv would witness a truly once-in-a-lifetime sight to behold. The open secret of the sea-glass beach, the rumored 'Circle of Glass' and its unique inhabitants. 

Shulgan remembered his first time seeing the city which only lasted one night. No one knew how or why it came to be this way, but it was nothing short of miraculous. He was eager to see the young harengon lady's reaction to one of Onnen's famous scenic views. Even if their journey was briefly delayed, he believed it was worth it.

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 8:49 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

A… large sheet to wrap a person in? Certainly an odd request for sure. There was the possibility that she could ask any of her maids of they had any spare silks in storage for such a need, but she couldn't exactly ask them, let alone fetch the material in question. There was no way in the hells did she have any on her person, and if she did, the salt water would have done a massive number to them. In fact, she should check her own garments just in case. Sure, they were more fitted for travel, but that does not mean they would not be damaged by such events!

Maybe she could afford such goods for him? But would they trade in the coin she had now? Not only that, but if she was in such an unfamiliar plane, she hardly had the connections her family name carried, as if the house suddenly fell and either had to be built up from square one or simply abandoned and forgotten by history. Well, no matter! The Lonfosses were known to be the pride f the common folk, willing to get their hands and suits dirty more than the other houses! Pulling oneself back up should be no major issue!

"Well then," Liniv finally stated, "While I may not be able to offer such a cloth at the current moment, I am willing to see what I can do. You stated there was a civilian location down south, correct? It may be more of a gamble, but maybe I could purchase some fresh cloth from them. I am sure you can understand where I come from with this." Either way, it would mean they would need to travel, meaning there would be a possible risk of danger. Therefore, her arm reached around to the satchel on her quiver, detaching it and pulling out a half-strung bow from it, resting it on her leg as she shook out the bag and giving it a quick squeeze to try and for what water she could from it before stashing it away. Next, she fetched the bow, putting her foot down on the lower inner arm before her upper bent it down, giving it the more notable shape while her free hand worked the string to the other end, giving it the tension it needed. "Good," she muttered to herself as she pulled it up from the earth, fingers wrapping around the grip with a comforted ease.

Author: Abzu, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 7:04 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Ah so she was lost, in other words. He had heard rumors of people appearing out of thin air who weren't local to Revaliir, but this was the first time he had met one in person. Shulgan wondered how that moment would have looked like but could only guess. Liniv herself didn't see what happened when it occurred so he couldn't ask her for any answers. His affable demeanor faltered when she mistakenly assumed he was human. On one hand, it meant his disguise was perfect. But this misunderstanding could easily spiral out of control into panic or hostility should she discover the truth. A younger Shulgan would have been optimistic that friendship could be had if you were completely forthright and honest, but many times that honesty resulted in fear or violence. The reputation of dragons preceded them, regardless what kind they were. To those who weren't drakes, all dragons were the same even if you explained your lineage. Whether you fought back or ran away, such an impression ran so deep to the point of being unshakeable that he was forced to flee more often than not.

"Ah, yes…I did! Though I had to abandon it partway since the line broke, and dove into the water to make sure you wouldn't drown." As his anxiety eased, he absent-mindedly asked in response to the offhand comment she made. "There was a leviathan? I don't recall seeing any other large sea predators in the water." Good thing he had gotten to her quickly then. All that splashing would have drawn their attention to her. He noted that he himself had made a mistake about Liniv earlier: she wasn't a rabbit but a hare. A simple but common blunder. The sea drake wasn't particularly avaricious, but accepting thanks was common courtesy. "A reward… Well if you insist, then perhaps a sheet of cloth would suffice. Large enough to wrap a person in, preferably with a glossy sheen and smooth to the touch." With Ignius fast approaching satin and similar fabrics which were cool to the touch were all the rage these days for Shulgan. Fuzzy fabrics and furs were too hot and became stuffy for bedding. Thick fabrics didn't ventilate well and made it harder to sleep comfortably, so he would swap out the components of his bedding seasonally. 

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 5:18 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Good fortune? Well, maybe… If the extra weight didn't hold her down when she was surfacing. Still, it did mean she didn't have to work on bare equipment, even if she knew a general direction towards civilization. What she was missing, at the moment, were answers, but it seemed the pieces she were tossing out were leading her nowhere. "My family exists within not just any wilderness, but the Fey Wilds, a plane of existence that is rich in natural wonders and some of the rawest forms of magics imaginable, which can be both amazing to explore and witness while being ruthless and unpredictable. We get scholars come there to try and study it and morons who dare think they can best it. I can think of this place as nothing more than a plane elsewhere from home, if I cannot sense anything familiar in the air." Still, homesteads were made in places with the least amount of flux of Wild Magic, but maybe there was that tiny chance that, overnight, she happened to be in the "correct" spot for a magic flex, causing a warp to a differing plane, and the placement itself were just a rude predicament. Still, it makes it hard as to why she woke with what she had and not nothing but her pajamas. That she had a harder time pinning down.

When addressing her form, her ears gave a small twitch. "I am sure a human like yourself would be unfamiliar with our kind, as we tend to call the Fey Wilds home, but you can address my kin as Harengons, and I can assure you, the leporine features we possess are not for looks alone." Indeed, its probably why the only part of her body showing armor would be her legs: They are a precious to ability to move about in large bounds and keep agile when hunting quicker prey, or to make quicker escapes when needed, making any harm to them dangerous to her well being, let alone the fun she can have moving about in general.

"But I must say, you must be quite impressive for a human," she addressed him, her hands returning to the collar of her shirt, working to pry the fishing hook still resting upon it out. "I can only assume, but seeing as no other bodies are here, I can only bet it was you who casted this line out in such a far distance. Not only that, but you were able to fend off that small leviathan that tried to take my life and got me back to safety. You do have my thanks for that. I know I am not in much of a position right now, but in what way could I be able to reward you for this?"

Author: Abzu, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:22 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

"I see…that sounds very confusing. But maybe that strange situation of awakening with your most helpful possessions was a stroke of good fortune!" He then heard her mention something about a tree's speech, and didn't know what to make of it. It could be a reference to a dryad or ent who was on friendly terms with her people back where she lived. She did regain her composure and gave her name, birth order, and name of her family as introduction. Her home must be a very organized one to give titles to families. "Greetings Liniv Lonsfoss, my name is Shulgan. I travel about, sometimes crossing seas. I don't think my family has a collective name, we all just take names from birth. You mentioned your family hails from the wilds? Your settlements must border on the edge of the wilderness then?" 

For a child of a named family to be trained to hunt, it must mean they had a need to protect themselves or as a way to feed themselves. People who lived in less dangerous areas could afford to let others choose to take different tasks instead of ensuring everyone possessed the same skills. Or perhaps rabbit-folk were different. "I've never heard of rabbit-folk like you before, but I've mostly kept to the shores so I'm afraid I don't know much about those living on land." Rabbits lived in grasslands or forests, while he as a sea drake wouldn't have much of a chance to cross paths with them.

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 6:50 AM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Famed Beach? That's certainly no location in the Fey Wilds. At the very least, if it was famed, she would have heard about it from the common folk as a chance of respite or a private party established within the Court's families. Then again, beach activities were more often a Summer house fiasco for whatever reason, so maybe she never had a chance to talk with th–

Onnen? This time, it was clear on the Harengon's face her unfamiliarity as she tried to mentally map things out, her mind going through the multitude of maps she had to study seeing which plane had such a landscape to their name. Unfortunately, none of them were a hit, and more she tried to process it, the more panic was setting in on her face. "Oh dear gods, where in the hells am I, then?" She certainly caught his question, but she had to take a moment to process herself, taking a deep breath to try and settle her panic-filled heart before looking at the stranger straight in the eyes.

"I think it is fair I should tell you something: Last night, I finished my packing for a training mission that would come for the next month or so. I was in my villa, on the mainland, in my cozy pajamas within my soft bed, figuring it would be my last night in such comforts for a while. Now then, I am sure you can imagine, but one does not normally go to bed with a set of arrows and their unstrung bow on them when in such a cozy environment. I do not know how or why, but somehow I just happened to wake up within that sea with my gear in tow! I was as far from the sea as possible, and yet I still woke up… here, wherever here is, I guess!"

Her breathing was getting heavy again, before a rough cough rang out, more than likely the ocean water still in her getting agitated with her now confused body. "Ugh, would I even be able to get into contact with Tree's Speech from here? I am sure my family would be in a state of panic with my suddenly vanishing, and I am sure the maids would have noticed something amiss…" Still, no matter what may transpired, this was how things resided.

"Forgive me," she found herself stating as she fought to keep her mind from drowning in the new information, "but I seemed to have forgotten to introduce myself within all this new information. And who knows, maybe it can help answer some of my new questions." Her arm swung before her stomach as she bowed, stating, "I am Liniv Lonsfoss, third heir to the Lonsfoss family name, and under the Autumn House of the Four Season's Court of the Fey Wilds."

Author: Abzu, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 11:14 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Helping the rabbit-like person stand, he answered. "This is the famed Zamatye Beach, or part of it. They say it stretches for miles along the east side of the continent of Onnen. It's beautiful, isn't it? The sand looks like it's made from crushed gems. I wonder how it came to be this way? Everything in Onnen is more colorful compared to everywhere else, but the magic also feels more vibrant too. You don't seem like you're familiar with where we are. Did you fall overboard from a ship?" Travelers often sailed inbound from this side, hailing from Mamlak or other ports in Canelux. It wasn't a surprise if rough water and weather tossed a few into the sea. He himself had the fortune to swim his way over, avoiding storms altogether. But most didn't have the same convenience as he did. "If those you were with are looking for you, you could wait for word from them in a place a ways from here. It's down south, called Mamjaku." Shulgan motioned, pointing in its general direction. What he failed to mention was it was several miles south, not the next dune over. It would be a few months on foot and even longer without knowledge of the lay of the land. 

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 10:44 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

The new question caused the rabbit-folk to jump, snapping her back to the current reality before checking up on herself a bit more. "Maybe, but I am not feeling anything too severe… If anything, I'd want to remove the moisture from my coat." Then again, maybe she wasn't realizing she was on anything until she caught sight of the sand. From afar, it was about as normal as could be, but up close, it was more like a mirage of color before her eyes. Either way, where she was now was not that familiar to any landscape she knew of in the wilds, and the air felt stable enough. An arm was soon to be held out, her bright copper fur damp in water before shifting to a deep brown, as if acting as a glove with small claws sticking out for her nails as she stated, "Could you please help oneself up?"

Once pried back onto her feet, she took a look around. The copper gleam covered most of her form, with bits of a deeper shade patched here and there while her hands and feet here furred a much deeper chocolate brown. If anything, her garb would look pretty unique, from the mint sprig clipped to her ear, down to the floral jade top hugging her form, down to the violet skirt that rested beneath, the frills trimming like a blooming of a flower. White leggings covered most of her legs, except for the toes and heels, which remained exposed to the elements while also showing the only signs of armor geared on her. Still, her feet were anything from human, as she more stood on the balls of her feet, and the heels rising much higher than a standard frame.

Her nose to to the air and gave it a few sniffs, really only catching the scent of the ocean breeze. "How bizarre… Pardon me, good sir, but could you inform me where we currently reside?" From where she looked, there was no sign of civilization, so she could only make an assumption she should treat this as if still in the wilds.

Author: Abzu, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 10:20 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

The rabbit person he had dragged out was fine, fortunately not too much seawater had gotten down their throat. Still, out of genuine concern Shulgan wanted to make sure and his thick eyebrows furrowed when Liniv paused. "Is there water still in your lungs? I can pat you on the back to get it out." For humans it would be more of a firm slap, but to a dragon that amount of force was akin to a cat batting gently. He was unconcerned that his fishing pole was now useless, but it laid on the sea-glass beach forlorn and forgotten having served valiantly despite its failure. Of course a rod like that wouldn't be able to stand under the weight of reeling in a person. From Liniv's perspective, Shulgan looked like an ordinary human save for his hair being a striking blue, his eyes the color of green sea-glass, and his eyebrows being rather thick. His clothes were plain and serviceable, but couldn't give any clues as to where she was. The sand beneath her was not a simple white, but of many colors as the grains came in a wide assortment of the visual spectrum. It was still bright out, so she would have some time to survey her surroundings before night fell.

There wasn't any sign of civilization along the beach. No buildings within sight of the water or paths leading towards a town. Rolling dunes of the same multicolored sand stretched into the distance as scant vegetation filled in the scene. Mountains which looked more out of a child's drawing formed a vivid backdrop against the monochrome blue sky. The temperature was comfortable, the sand warmed by the noonday sun. It was a pleasant day, near drowning experience aside. Nothing strange except a strange man blinking at her as if waiting for something. 

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 9:51 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

The waves lapped over her head as she fought to keep herself afloat, giving her range to try and see what she could. For most of what she could catch, it was a bright blue sky, a beating sun up above, and a lot of endless ocean in all directions, tasting the salt in the waves as it lapses over her face. Oh, please tell me there is a shore anywhere nearby, echoed through her mind before the waves pulled her up, giving her a quick glance of hope. It was faint, but yellow was not blue! A shore was distant! All she had to do was swim there, and she can work on actually recovering.

It was also at that time a glint in the sky formed, a small, metal object flying through the boundless sky, gleaming off the bright sun before the cool metal caught the collar of her top before quickly snapping back, the fishing line hook scratching her shoulder as it dug into her clothes and drew taut. She tried to hold back a pained yelp from the scratch to prevent more salt water from entering her mouth, but in her mind, she thought, Alright, alright, I get it! before beginning her paddling. However, it was not long until the line grew limp once more. On one hand, it meant the damage to her clothes was reduced. The other meant whoever was fishing certainly missed out on a big catch (one she'd be fine with if it meant not being set up over a campfire).

Still, she kept paddling, one arm swinging over the body as the other pushed through the tides, trying to manage her stamina to shore. All she had to do was to keep pace, not panic anymore she had, and not waste energy, she could possibly hit shore without droooow–

A new panic rose forth as a new form suddenly came from the waves, quickly approaching her front with deep scales and arms… claws… whatever reaching out and taking hold of her! She felt her life leave before her eyes as she lost focus, imagining herself being lunch to whatever took hold of her. A sad way to lose one's life, but sometimes it just how it be…

At least until she felt her form hit the sandy beach, her senses fighting to come back online as a voice came to her muffled. She could feel the water weighing her fur down as she raised her arms up, squeezing what she could from the tufts of her ear, muttering, "I really should have picked up that art from my master," before turning her gaze to the man before her, keeping a careful eye on her as his hand waved in the air, as if a sign of peace. Well, at least it wasn't a weapon.

"Many pardons, but could you give me a moment?" Liniv asked the stranger, "Right now, everything feels out of pla–" Her mind froze as her fingers massaged her ear once more, catching the feel of the sprig of mint that she had clipped to it. Certainly, she didn't fall asleep last night with that on. That's when she noticed another irregular feeling: an odd weight. Her eyes drifted down to her right hip, and sure enough, that weight was her quiver: a set of latches that each held firm a single arrow, leaving a multitude of feathers sticking out from her side, and attached to that a satchel, more than likely holding her bow. Her eyes were being filled with more confusion from finding these items than the stranger before her, no hiding that.

Author: Abzu, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 9:09 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Pulling back the line, it returned empty again. Shulgan had found an old fishing rod drifting in flotsam after a storm and out of curiosity tried his hand at fishing using it instead of his usual methods. He had learned that bait was needed and not to forget the hook, but it seemed the fish weren't interested. Still, maybe he could catch something. Tossing the line back out as far as it could fly, the man with deep blue hair stood on the glittering shore waiting for it to be pulled. Hours passed as he stayed put, time flying by like the seabirds above leaving for new haunts. Even if his hook ultimately came back empty, he didn't mind. The very novelty of fishing on its own was worth the experience. Out at sea there was a person adrift within sight of the beach. He failed to notice at first, but when his eyes saw splashing on the horizon he recognized the signs of a struggle. 

Reeling back his line, Shulgan gave it another toss, this time aimed in the direction of the drowning lapin, and soon the hook latched on with the line pulling taut. With a solid tug, his arms jerked back lifting his catch into the air, for a moment sailing clear of the waves. Then came a snap. No sooner had his catch tasted the freedom of flight did the fishing line give out, and only halfway back to shore too. As an amateur angler, the sea drake failed to check the condition of his fishing pole after reclaiming it from the wreckage he had scavenged it from, and this was his result. Now sure that he hadn't hooked a fish, Shulgan tossed his lineless pole aside and dove into the brine to bring his catch ashore. His lower half partially shifted back into his true form to provide better propulsion and less resistance in the water as blue scales formed around his eyes. Taking hold of a large rabbit-like person, he swiftly turned around and headed back with them in tow.

He carefully tossed them onto land before changing back into his assumed human shape, checking that no fins or scales were visible. Many he crossed paths with went into a panic when they caught a glimpse of his draconic nature, and for good reason. Walking over still dripping wet, he stood over the waterlogged rabbit he had rescued to see if they were still breathing. "Hello? Can you hear me? Cough once if yes." He waved a hand slowly. 

Author: Liniv Lonsfoss, Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:00 PM, Post Subject: A Rude Awakening [O]

Normally, when anxiety hits on a new adventure, taking to new lands, it can be hard to fall asleep, for for some reason, rest seemed to come at ease to the young girl. Who knows, maybe it was one of her maids that offered a hand with that beforehand to make it easier. Well, it did let her drift off to sleep quite easily, her mind floating in thoughts. What would it be like when she finds the faction in Mirradel to get her going. And importantly, what kind of local delicacies did they eat? What kind of veggies and spices could she soon try?! As much as she would miss snagging a bite from Garethan's stall on her way to her work, she couldn't help but be curious on what it could offer…

But as she slept, she felt a pressure form on her. Was the anxiety of it all just late hitting? No… Something wasn't really add up. It was actual pressure starting to form around her… and it was getting hard to breathe?!

Her eyes snapped open as her body grew more alert of what was around her, and what it was was salty and pressing around her. Was she in water? Why was she all of a sudden in water?! Well, no time to really ask such questions, as another concern had to be addressed: Harengons didn't exactly have gills! Her eyes looked around frantically, trying to find sometime to adjust her senses. One part of the waters looked much brighter. Maybe that was the sun? Well, it was a gamble in a foreign, strange situation, but one that has to be met, meaning it was time for her feet to get kicking and her arms pushing towards it.

After a moment of forever, her head breached the surface, filling her lungs with new, fresh air that it was suddenly starved of. Her breaths were heavy as she looked around, trying to spot land. It was hard to push the very concerning questions out of her mind, but for now, she was in survival mode, meaning she had to find safety, and fast.