Memories [Dae]

[Lily]

Ooc//Real sorry about the wait and the unoriginality of the post. I've had a killer week and couldn't put a lot of time into this.

Bic//A year. That's all it had been. Less even. And yet so much had happened and so much was still happening. For David, a year was always nothing. Being an elf, he knew that they would fly by and that before he knew it, he would be one thousand years old. But never had he had a year like this one, and he didn't think he was going to in the future no matter what happened.
Yes, in the past year so many things had happened that even David himself could call thrilling and even scary sometimes. He didn't know when it had started. Perhaps it had been when he had been feeling impulsive one night and had decided to give up his plain life as a soldier for something bigger. Or maybe it was when he had traveled to Surda for the first time. Either way, it had still led to a shocking chain of events leading up to this one moment he was living. In the last twelve months, he had come close to being killed multiple times, on wild chases and had even learned to master some of the power sleeping within him. He had experienced hatred, happiness, tension, fear, and even love.
And there was still more coming.

He sighed and rocked back on his heels where he stood, gazing out at the city of Dras-Leona and completely lost in thought. At the moment, he was searching for a suitable place to stay that night since he wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of finding a place to stay within the city's walls. The lopsidedness of it was a little eerie, almost as if the whole place was on a slant - not to mention Helgrind - and he wished to avoid it if he could. In fact, he would have avoided it completely if Aviand had not begun to tire and insisted they rest somewhere. The day was warm, though a cool wind would blow now and then making the grass look like a huge, green sea. To be frank though, David preferred standing outside than the thought of entering the city. Less than one year before, he had nearly been killed there by some of Galbatorix's spies on his way to Teirm. He wasn't very keen on entering again. Perhaps it was just some foreboding that he refused to let go of, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that going in there might set him off on another risky adventure. For once, he wasn't standing here because of a mission. In fact, he had just come back from skirting the Empire's borders to see if there was anything out of the ordinary. As usual, the Empire seemed to be laying low. For now, thoughts of a crazy expedition were banished from thought.

A low rumbling growl sounded from behind him, almost resembling a throaty cough. I thought that 'crazy' is what we live by.

[/i] David turned to lay eyes on the huge beast lying behind him, gentle gray eyes fixed on his face. The dragon that had made everything up to now happen to him. Or at least had been a part of it. David thought that having Aviand by his side was only supposed to be part of a fairy tale. When he had dared to touch that dragon egg, he hadn't really been expecting anything to happen. But when the tiny, light gray hatchling had crawled from the shell a few days later, he had no choice but to accept this new destiny, however far-fetched it may seem. And now, with the dragon as his partner, he had gone through some of the most extreme circumstances he had ever had to face. Perhaps to a dreamer, it may sound fun, but in reality, it was the furthest thing from it. Some days may have their moments where David felt at peace and was happy, but he knew that his true purpose as a Rider was to help the Varden win the war against Galbatorix. For now, he and the few others that fate had chosen were the only things that stood between the Varden and defeat. And as much as the prospect sometimes frightened him, he knew it was his duty. And the only thing that he had ever wanted to do was to have a purpose and to serve the force he believed in. Perhaps this really was the best way.

I worded that wrong. The word 'crazy' is an understatement,[/i] David thought back to Aviand, turning around fully to face him. Aviand lifted his head in response which had, a moment ago, been resting on his giant paws. David blinked, then turned and set off again, searching for some kind of dip in the land that might signal an overhang. Aviand raised himself into a crouching position and watched his Rider search, his stormy eyes glittering. He wasn't all that concerned about being spotted by the city. Even though they were too far away to see him properly, he knew that few would bother coming all the way out here to see him. Of course, there was always the odd person who would, but the excitement of seeing a dragon had long passed with the arrival of Saphira. Or so he hoped.

David meanwhile was having no luck. He was circling wider and wider in his search, but he found nothing suitable that would protect him from any sudden weather. Of course, if he had been less experienced with being a Dragon Rider, he might have just relied on Aviand to shelter him. In most cases, this would work since Aviand was so large and could easily shield him during the night. However, David also found that leaning against his scales caused his back to ache terrible the next day and when he was on the ground, he found that Aviand would sometimes shift in his sleep and he thought that if he moved just a little bit further... Still, if he had no other choice that would be his best decision. Besides the city of course. But he had never liked staying anywhere really. There was always some little instinct in him telling him to get and up and get moving and since Dras-Leona was a part of the Empire... No, he would much rather avoid it.

As he searched, he could feel Aviand's eyes fixed on him as well as his growing amusement, though neither of them said anything. David found that Aviand was always there for him, but talking to him wasn't always necessary anymore since they could explain a lot from there emotions. When David turned to face the dragon again, he could tell just from his eyes that Aviand found David's search to be rather futile and in that, amusing. Just as David was about to respond indignantly, the dragon rose to his full height and lifted his head. David, I don't understand what's so bad about staying in the city. I don't think that Galbatorix's men will be lurking around every corner.[/i] David paused, realizing that he had just been wasting time looking around. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, and he knew that the later he went around looking for a place to stay in the city, the more dangerous it could be. He wondered if he should give up looking, but wasn't sure. Besides, it will only be one night. You'll be in and then out before you even know it.[/i] David had to admit with a sigh that his partner was right again. He looked towards the darkening city and at the lights gradually flickering on and nodded slowly. I suppose one night wouldn't hurt.[/i] Then without saying another word, he took off with his mind set. He wanted to reach Dras-Leona by nightfall at least, even though darkness was already creeping over the land. He didn't need to make sure that Aviand was safe since he knew by now that the dragon could fare well on his own. But even as he turned away, he heard Aviand's deep rumbling thoughts through his mind, The past still haunts you, little one, as it does all of us. But in the end, it is just memories.[/i] David nodded slowly, but as he ran his dragon's last words through his head, he thought to himself, Maybe it would be better if we didn't have them at all...[/size][/blockquote]

[daesiggil]

[OoC: Tis okay, the post is fine, more than fine ^^ It's wonderful =3 Peh, you have still more than 1.400 words, I have less than 1.050 D= So I have to congratulate you!)

Aerion.

The name stirred something in him, it wasn’t his real name, something he didn’t know he possessed from time to time; at least, he couldn’t remember it at all. The fake name, whispered lovingly, but… there was none around that could whisper it like that, none, not that he tried. If he tried to go and talk with a female he felt like he betrayed someone, but who was there to betray? He was alone, wasn’t he? There was no woman that held his heart , none.. and if there was he would remember her, right?

He groaned softly and placed a hand against his brow, as if warding of a headache that he got out of nowhere. He rather sensed than felt that short locks of red brown auburn fell in front of his face, shrouding green-brown eyes from view. He looked down at the ground, seeming to do it always those times. He looked up faintly when a small sound reached his ears, but it was just a small rodent that wanted a good spot to hide when he passed, a small smile turned the corners of his lips and he sighed faintly again. He didn’t feel worry at the empty looking streets. He was often found like this in those streets, maybe it was common knowledge that he was a loner at heart, if people wanted to calm him a greeting their neighbor would poke him in the ribs with the elbow and hiss lowly, too low that he couldn’t hear what they said, but it didn’t bother him, just like nothing did those days.

He only talked once or twice in a week he seemed, but those people he knew. They where mostly their task-givers… those things, humans, or whatever it was; he didn’t give it much thought; where annoying, very much so. A small child ran up to him and slammed into his legs, the kid excused itself quickly and ran away. He instantly checked his pockets and found nothing missing, letting out a soft sigh out of relief. He raised a hand and ruffled his own hair so that it came to lay more around his face again and not over it. He muttered softly and it seemed that many (of the people present) turned their eyes on him to glare, as if to say that he wasn’t allowed to speak, not even mutter; they only seemed to tolerate him because he was an Empire’s man and had money on himself, a lot. He found that healing paid good, especially if his patients died, not that he would kill them. He disliked killing anyone, creatures or a humanoid being.

He lifted his head slightly to look up, noticing that the sun was sinking even lower, another small smile twisted his lips and he knew that those streets would be empty over another five or ten minutes. He looked at his hand idly, before looking forwards. His eyes focused on a spot far before him, he found it ironic that they sometimes where as sharp as an eagle’s, not that he knew how sharp they could see. They looked sometimes like an eagle’s eye from far, only if one was close by they could see the difference, that his actually eye color was a green mixed with browns. He again pressed his hand against his temple. He kept feeling the faint hints of a headache, flashes of visions that couldn’t be true.. or where they?

He hated being so confused, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t help that he was forced into ‘slavery’. Memories swiped and replaced with fake, oh yes. He knew of that, somewhat, being told by a spy in the empire. He couldn’t do anything about it though, he had to wait longer. Maybe for someone that could help him escape the evil’s clutches. He shrugged his shoulders and at looking up again he noticed that all streets where empty. He smiled and breathed in deeply, more free than moments before. He was glad that he was finally alone, looking up at the sky he saw above him he tilted his head briefly, then around himself and walked over to a bench. He took out a small package and opened it, groaning slightly he took something out of it and raised it too his mouth, taking a big bite out of it.

He was a bit disgruntled that it was the first thing that he had actually eaten today. Those days where quite busy, there where constantly wounded that needed his services, making him unable to relax, sleep or eat and maybe most important of all, drink. He found himself with a dry thought as he reminded himself that he hadn’t a drink and took the flacon up and took a deep gulp of it. He groaned again in pleasure. The cool liquid soothed his dry throat and he tried his voice, soft and tentative. A soft sound escaped him and he smiled, obviously pleased with the result right now. He looked lightly around again and took the green around him, even if it was scarce; quite lovely to look at the scenery of nature. He tilts his head and turned his head from side to side to see if there where stairs close by so he could climb them and look over the houses, he didn’t feel like walking out of this city entirely to look at the scenery.

He pulled the cloak he had found somewhere closer around his slight underweight frame. He ate the rest and drank till no drop was left and leaned with his head against the wall of one of the shamble houses that decorated this village, for it was nothing more. His eyes where closed and he seemed relaxed, seemingly asleep to the outsider. He didn’t mind though, less chance that anyone bothered him that where thieves looking for an easy prey. He smiled when he heard her voice again, before it was replaced by a frown Who is she? He thought briefly, if he knew if it where his wife he would have been shamed. He didn’t know though, so those thoughts continued to plague his mind, causing constant agony.

[Lily]

As David made his way through the darkening streets of Dras-Leona, a chill breeze swept the road, biting through David's cloak straight to his skin. He shivered and quickened his pace, remembering from that one gust that winter was on its way. There were few people still roaming the streets, and most seemed to be the type that screamed shady. David was careful to weave slowly through the straggling crowd in order to avoid any unwanted attention, though he could never escape unwelcome eyes. It was odd how everyone would stare at him in particular. Perhaps it was because they were all humans and moved slow and sluggishly as apposed to his graceful, light step. Pausing for a moment, he slowed his feet to shuffle along just as everyone else was. He felt ridiculous and unnatural, but it stopped the stares, and made him seem more like someone trudging home after a long day. He kept his head down, but was still aware in his own way of the people around him with his instinctive tendency to be attentive to others' minds so he might spot someone hostile before they spotted him.
He reached out even further subconsciously with his mind, feeling around for Aviand from his vague end of the link. He found the young dragon circling some miles away, looking for somewhere isolated to rest for the night. He knew from past experiences that Aviand would return in the morning for him, so he wasn't concerned about how far away he went as long as he didn't go out of contact.

Suddenly, he bumped into someone squarely with his shoulder and cursed himself for not paying attention. He raised his head and, in the dying light, saw a cloaked man leaning against the side of a ramshackle building, blinking at him with startling green eyes and auburn coloured hair. David saw no emotion behind that gaze except for raw surprise at the sudden collision, and David grasped that he had just knocked this person from deep thought. He said the only possible thing that one would say when they accidently crash into someone. "My apologies, sir," he said in a gruff tone, masking the more fluid note in his voice, though not entirely. "I wasn't looking where I was going." Something about the man seemed nearly familiar to him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He supposed that a lot of random people might resemble those he'd met in the past, but he wasn't about to go around and ask them that.

Are you alright?

[/i] Aviand had obviously sensed the collision through their link and David felt his partner's thoughts touch his end of the link.
I'm fine,[/i] David answered. Where are you?[/i]
A couple miles out from the city. I have found a cave here that will offer shelter during the night, and prey is surprisingly plentiful. Who are you talking to?[/i]
Aviand had definitely gotten more out of David's thoughts than the elf had expected. He glanced at the man. No one in particular.[/i] He sensed the man was going to say something, and so thought hurriedly, I should go.[/i]
Very well. Stay safe until tomorrow.[/i]
This whole conversation had taken only a few seconds, and so David supposed that she silence was simply because the man was seething with annoyance or coming up with a civilized reply. Either way, David was ready to get off the slanted streets and somewhere away from unwelcome eyes as soon as was possible.

Ooc//Ech, sorry bad post. Next one should be somewhat better since I'll be less busy than I was when writing this. XP[/size][/blockquote]

[daesiggil]

(OoC: Lol, still better than mine XD *feels bad for making such a bad and SHORT post*)

He gasped faintly as he felt someone collide into him and stumbled a step or two back and blinked slowly. He watched the person in front of him and eyes narrowed briefly as he felt annoyance, but then the person apologies and that seemed to make it disappear as soon as it came and a small smile touched his lips "No problem, sir." He assured "No problem at all." He took in the clothes and stance, most likely someone more importantly than him "I should have watched out where I become lost in thoughts after all." He chuckled faintly and rubbed his head briefly, swallowing.

He bowed from the waist lightly and took a small step backwards, forgetting where exactly he stood. With a small, surprised cry he fell backwards as he tripped over the bench he was seated on moments before, flailing his arms abroad he tried to steady himself. He managed, yet finding himself in quite a strange position and cleared his throat slightly "Oh my.." He muttered, then straightened slowly, making sure that he couldn't trip anymore and coughed briefly, trying to hide the fact that he was embarrassed.

He briefly wondered why the other seemed so distant for a moment, but then shrugged mental shoulders, it wasn't his thing to ask/know or so. He just watched and then shifted his weight, he couldn't be anything else than polite and cleared his throat again to get the other's attention "It doesn't seem like much, but would you accept my offer to stay for a night, to repay that you had to walk in silly little me?" He tilts his head slightly, knowing that he acted a bit odd, but yikes! Those nerves nearly killed him!