Samathan sat on a seat on the side of the central square of Istan city, it had taken him several days but he had finally made it here through the shifting desert sands that were ever changing, making naviagtion difficult. He was glad that he was out of the desert because the heat and dryness had been getting to him, clawing its way into his very core. Still he had come here because the enigmatic desert city had interested him, he had never visited such a city before so he thought why not? He finished writing in his journal and slipped it back into his backpack and looked around, there didn't seem to be many locals about.

A slider elf, with ash gray skin and hair, red wings that were easily too small to fly with, and bright red, almost glowing, eyes walked past the outer walls of the city. She strode along the streets, her gaze taking in the city and the people, with a slight smile on her lips and light armor on that was gray, red, orange, and gold on most of the rest of her. On one hip was a sheathed blade and the other held a book on a leather thong. Her hair was pulled back and pined in place with more then a few metal and stone hair sticks.

The city of Istan. She liked the looks of the place. It was strong and sturdy. Not too big or too busy either. This city was in her desert lands and close enough to her own home... yes, after seeing what this city had to offer and what it held she had little doubt she would defend it should the need arise. Perhaps she could gain a few worthy fighters to train or at least find a good place to purchase armor and arms at least. Perhaps even some other items of interest. What she was hoping for was some Dwarven work. It was heavy and strong metal, well wrought. Many masterwork peaces were by the Dwarfs.

Samathan studied the slender elf who strode about the city, taking in all about her and everyone about her. She had a good form on her and the way she moved her hips was enticing, but he knew not to try anything for she was more than she seemed to be. He merely sat and watched her, he would speak if she drew near or spoke to him. His mind raced trying to put a name to her face, she looked very familiar to him but he just couldn't quite put a name to her face.

As she walked along she decided she liked what she was seeing. This place was actually quite nice. Quiet at this time of day perhaps, but not everyone enjoyed the heat. Where she may find a metal worker or someone who sold such peaces was not very clear, but it couldn't be too far out of the way. She was about to stop someone to ask when she felt as if someone was watching her. She turned and saw a man sitting near the edge of the square.

Ornell turned his way then. He looked like a fighter and she was looking for some like that. She couldn't tell without talking to him first. There were many sort of warriors out there, but she didn't want to make things any harder then she had to for any that she picked out. They had to have the right stuff for it after all. She came to a stop about a yard away from where he sat. "Lovely day, isn't it?" She asked him.

"Lovely indeed," Samathan replied as the elf spoke to him, he got to his feet and addressed her "I am Samathan," he said taking her hand and kissing it softly in his gesture when greeting women. He released her hand and looked up at her, "How can I help you?" he asked and smiled warmly at her. He studied her curiously, she was an elf he knew that much. But he knew not what sort, and an elf with wings? He had never heard of an elf with wings before, he watched her and waited for her to speak.

((OOC: I don’t want to seem picky, but I have a word limit of at least 150 words… so you couldn’t post a little bit more information, could you? I really don’t even know what he looks like… :unsure: ))



The sun was still very hot, even in the city, though the weather was cooling ever so slightly due to winter. The nights would be colder of course, but as soon as winter passes the rains would come and the desert life would return in full force. She hated the cold nights of winter, but the days. The days were very lovely.

The man stood when she approached and greeted her most formally. She found that most appropriate and knew she had picked a good person to ask about the city. Even if he didn’t know much, he may well be the type that would be willing to help her find out. She was sure he wasn’t a native of the Istan, but he did look like a warrior and a warrior would be the one most likely to know where weapons and armor could be found. This was a trade city after all and travelers would be welcome patrons. She smiled in return before speaking herself. "My name is Ornell. You wouldn't know where I could find a good place fro arms and armor in this lovely little city, would you?"

((OOC: But of course my friend :) ))

Samathan thought when she asked him this question, there were several places where one could buy such things in this city. His golden-blond hair shifted in a gentle breeze and his brilliant blue eyes studied Ornell before him as he comprised an answer for her. “Well there is a place nearby that sells a variety of weapons and armour. I believe they have some of Dwarven make. Marvelous stuff that Dwarven weaponry , the Dwarves always were good smiths.” A gentle breeze blew again, ruffling his hair and playing with the sand on the ground lightly. He got up and smiled at her softly, “If you want I could take you to this place, its not far from here.” He smiled warmly and looked to her awaiting her answer, would she want him to come along or would she shrug him off like so many had done. But she had asked him if he knew where she could buy weapons, so he intended to help her if he could.

((OOC: Many thanks! I still feel like they are a bit short though...))

Glad that her guess about this man was proving accurate so far and nodded her head in response to his reply. The wind seemed to be picking up a bit too, and she didn’t much care for that. It wasn’t a bad thing really, but she hated the gritty feel of sand when it made it’s way between her feathers. She beamed, very glad he had an answer for her.

“That would be grate. I haven’t seen much yet, but then I just got here. I was wondering if I would have to go to the Dwarven city that is supposed to be not far from here to find there work or not. It seems they trade here though. I wonder if there are any dwarfs about. It might be too hot for them though.” She shrugged and her wings flexed slightly at the movement before settling loosely folded against her back once more. She then gestured for him to go ahead and said, “Lead on then Samathan.”

Samathan smiled at her warmly and taking her softly by the hand led her down a sandy street towards the where the shop was. Would she notice his pointed ears which stuck out of his hair showing him to be of elven birth, in fact if one looked at Samathan you could tell he was an elf. But people tended to not pay much attention to Samathan which is why not many had remarked on it, he smiled softly at Ornell and led her down another street before stopping before a large building. “Here we are,” he said with a grin and realising he was still holding Ornell's hand he blushed and let it go slowly with a shy smile. He decided to speak his mind “You are very pretty,” he said softly and then looked away with a blush.

She was surprised when he took her hand. Surprised enough that she didn't actually even think of protesting. Instead, she found herself following him as him lead the way and couldn't find a thing to say. Then, he stopped walking and announced that they were there. She looked around and saw a few shops along the way. Before she had a chance to take a good look at any of them, she heard him say something else.

She looked at him, but his head was turned from her. Did he... She wasn't sure for a moment. But she had heard him. Ornall was surprised by this and didn't have a response for a moment. Then she replied just as softly as he had said it. "Thank you, but I am an Avatar..." She realized after she said it that it sounded a bit lame.

Kyrus (Samathan) looked at Ornell "Ornell I do not care that you are an Avatar, that does not change things," he said his elven accent ringing in his voice as he spoke and a soft smile flittered onto his face. He looked up into her entrancing eyes and they seemed to draw him in like a fish into a net “There is something about you Ornell,” he said softly “that interests me,” he blushed again “you are very pretty and I have never met anyone quite like you before. You are unique,” he still hadn't let go of her hand and he gave it a gentle squeeze “I know we have just met but I want to get to know you more, would you possibly...want to come with me to the Songs of Sun and Elves Tavern sometime?” he asked and blushed deeply as he looked up at her.

((OOC: Just so you know, this isn't a real no. She just doesn't feel it would work because of what she is, even if he thinks it doesn't matter.))

Ornell froze as he started to talk. His first words made her angry, but she held it back, not wanting to cause trouble or hurt anyone. She kept her face carefully still and waited as he finished speaking. She felt the stir of emotions underneath her thoughts, felt them try to sway her choice first one way, then the other. Then she let logic take over and closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath, and opened them again. She took a step back, freeing her hand with the motion.

“Thank you, thank you very much, but I don’t think I should. I don’t think you understand. I am a physical and mortal double of the Goddess of Flame. I am the Goddess of Flame. I am fire, and fire burns.” It hurt to say it, but she felt it was true. She looked from one of his blue eyes to the other, hoping he would understand. She needed him to understand. She could not follow her emotions, never be ruled by emotion. Love was a strong emotion and she knew she could kill so many in this world with her own emotions… fire… destroys.

Kyrus looked her in the eyes and placed a soft kiss on her hand which he still held “Ornell I do not care,” he said “I know what you are and I am not afraid. I would do anything to be at your side, even if it meant that I would be in danger.” He looked into her eyes “Ornell I care for you, ever since you first spoke to me I knew it, there was something in your voice that called to me. He spoke to her in the elven tongue which he knew she would understand “Ornell please, I know that your emotions could kill me but I am not afraid, I want to be with you, at your side no matter what.” He had still not let go of her hand , he risked putting his arms around her and he spoke in her ear softly “Ornell I know what you are, really I do. But you are not just the Avatar of the Goddess of Flame, you are also Ornell.”

((OOC: You scared her away... :( ))

Once again she stepped back, her red eyes stirring like burning embers. She pulled her hand back. "No. No, you don't understand at all. You don't know and your not listening. Perhaps I'll see you later." Ornell turned around and started walking. She let her gaze move across the shops very quickly. Seeing one that may serve her need, she ducked inside.

Once there she gripped her own hand, the one he had held. She felt rotten. That sort of thing had never happened to her before and she didn't know what to think. She had been an elf too, but she was a Traveler now. With every thought in her mind she was a Goddess and a Traveler. Travelers didn't fall in love. They didn't have children or a family... and she also knew that this body was the only one she was going to have on this plane of existence and that the real Ornell... the real Ornell had died. She had felt her die, to burn away to nothing. Then she noticed the shopkeeper looking at her. Ornell smiled weakly then. She nodded a greeting to the shopkeeper and started to look around at the shop. She wasn't paying attention to what was there but was thinking about what had just happened.

She should have handled that differently. She really didn't know what to think. If only she had some time to think about it, or time for him to see the real her that was residing at the Temple of Fire. Ornell sighed and tried to focus on what was right in front of her. It was a bit of armor, steel plate.

Ornell: Don't worry, he will go after her. Try and get her back :)

Kyrus cursed himself and ran after Ornell, he found he quickly and called out to her in the elven tongue "Ornell, wait!" he said taking her hand and stopping here "I do understand, really I do. Don't go Ornell...please," he said still holding her hand. He hand so nearly mucked this up and he had to do all he could to get it back. "I know that you are the Avatar of the Flame Goddess but Ornell I want to get to know you, the real you. Please give me a chance," he said and looked into her eyes. He had not let her hand go as he stood before and gazed into her eyes "Forgive me Ornell, I was too fast I know. But I want to see more of you, I am listening. You are the Goddess of Flame, you are worried about your emotions killing me if you grow to care about me but Ornell you mustn't worry about that. As I have learnt if you truly care about something you must hold tight to it despite your fears despite what you think may happen in the future."

He squeezed her hand gently and continued looking into her eyes "Ornell please don't turn your back on me. I have listened to you, I understand your fears. You fear that because you are the Avatar of the Flame Goddess you may burn or kill me because of your powers. You know your emotions are dangerous, that they can destroy those you hold dear, that if you grew to care about me they might kill me. Oh Ornell I understand more than you think, but you must try to not let that get in the way of your feelings, if you like something you should go for it despite the dangers," he gave her hand a gentle squeeze "Ornell..I like you and I don't want to lose you before we have even tried it."

He had stopped her and as she listened to him she could only think of one single explanation. The sun must have fried the poor guy's brain. There was only two ways of dealing with this... kill him or force him to understand. Killing him would be unfavorable and if she didn't act she was sure he would keep following her until she got mad, and then he would die. No, no... she couldn't do that. So that left the other opption, she had to make him understand. He didn't understand, weather he understood his words or not, he really didn't seem to understand her meaning at all. He just heard the words. Well, when words weren't enough...

"I don't think you understand, but that is something I can fix." She said. This time she gripped his hand and she started to walk very purposfully through the city. She walked out of the tall walls of the city and was leading him out into the barren desert sands themselves. She was looking for someone now...

Kyrus smiled as she led him by the hand out of the city into the desert, which was barren and nearly lifeless “So you have a test in store for me,” he said judging by the purposeful way she walked and led him by the hand and in a polite way he added “Then test away. I shall prove to you that I do in fact understand.” As they walked a flame began to burn in Kyrus' free hand showing that he was indeed possessed of the fire element, he smiled at Ornell as she laid him through the desert in her purposeful way. That was another thing he admired about her, her strong determination to do her work despite distractions. Very well, if she wanted to test him, then let the testing begin. He liked her and he would not back down no matter how tough the tests might be which were placed before him.

A lone figure stood off in the sands. He looked human and had shoulder length hair the color of Burnished Steel. His skin was taned from the sun and he was wearing loose fitting clothing of a very pale gray. As Ornell lead Kyrus up to the human, he looked from Ornell to the elf. He studied this other elf with his silver-gray eyes before turnign his attention back to Ornell. He didn't say a single word, but bowed to her gracefully. "My Lady."

Ornell stopped less then two feet from the man and relased Kyrus' hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Valen, this is Kyrus. He would like to visit the Temple of Fire." She replyed with a bit of a smile. Only then did the man streghten from his bow. He rose an eyebrow in question, but did not voice the question.

"Yes. Of course. Did you find what you sought, My Lady?"

"Not yet, but it can wait." She turned to look at Kyrus. "Are you ready to go?"

Kyrus nodded his head in greeting to Valen and studied the man for several moments before looking back to Ornell as she spoke to him, asking if he was ready to leave “Yes,” he said softly and stayed at her side “I am ready to leave right now.” He made sure he had all he had come with and that his backpack was packed securely before giving a nod to Ornell, the look in his eyes showed that he liked her and that we would gladly perform any test that she demanded of him to prove that she could like him, that he understood. He was however curious as to how exactly they were going to get to the Fire Temple but he knew that of course Ornell would obviously have a way there.

Valen looked at Kyrus for a bit, then calmly took off his shirt and folded in neatly. He placed it in a satchel. He then put the satchel’s strap around just his neck. Then, he started to transform. Why he removed the shirt was quickly apparent, as a large set of bat-like wings emerged from his back. His face grew longer and then his neck. His size doubled, then tripled, then quadrupled. He fell down on all fours and rose a long serpentine neck in the air. A long tail swept the sand behind him. A fully grown steel-colored dragon now stood where the human had been, a satchel about his neck. He flexed his wings and dropped one of his elbows. In the same movement he spread that side's wing. "Then off we go." The dragon said, his voice much richer and deeper now.

Ornell didn't hesitate, but walked forward and threw one leg over his neck with a jump and was astride his shoulders, just between his wings, as if she did it all the time. Which, of course, she did. "Can you ride or should he carry you?" Ornell asked Kyrus with a grin.

Kyrus' eyes widened when Valen transformed into a dragon, now that he had not expected. So this was the way that Ornell intended for them to get to the Fire Temple. He watched as she easily climbed onto his back and took her place astride him, when she asked if he could ride or need to be carried and shot him a grin Kyrus grinned right back at her and laughed “I am a High Elf not a sack to be carried,” he laughed jokingly and did exactly what Ornell had done and sat behind her. He inhaled her scent, she didn't just look beautiful she smelt beautiful too. He laughed happily and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face before looking into her eyes and smiling “Let's go then, I am ready for what lies ahead.” He couldn't help looking at her lips as he spoke to her, her lips, so moist and sensuous . He found himself suddenly wanting to kiss her but shook his head to clear the thoughts. Their possible relationship was only just beginning to grow, he would not think of such things yet.

But a small compliment couldn't hurt could it? He grinned at her “I must say, you have the most entrancing eyes,” he looked into them and saw his own brilliant blue eyes mirrored for a second then blushed ever so slightly. How was he supposed to hold on? Was he meant to put his arms around her to stop him falling off the dragon or was he meant to hold on to one of the dragon's spines? He had never ridden a dragon before so he just decided that he would let Ornell show him what to do. He allowed only the slightest trace of flirtation to show in his voice as he spoke to her, just enough to show her that he liked her but not enough to seem too forward. He grinned at her again “Alright then, alls packed fast. I guess we shall be off then,” he said a hint of flirtation in his voice which she would pick up, but it was only slight flirtation nothing too forward.

Ornell held her tongue when he commented about her eyes. Many others had noticed them too. Her eyes glowed. I daylight it wasn’t such a big deal, but at night it drew attention to her. She liked to keep her visits during daylight then. Another thing she knew about them was that her eyes would grow brighter when her emotions took over. She had even once had the very air around her catch on fire when her emotions took hold. It was a very simple thing, fire responded to her emotions, so she had to be able to control her emotions in order to control fire. If her emotions ever took over, she would be the one ruled by fire and not the other way around, and most likely this mortal shell would become consumed by those very flames…

Valen looked over at them and rose up. “Hold tight,” He looked back forward and his entire body shifted backward, “as here we go!” Then he threw himself at the sky, waiting until his leap had given him enough room for a downs stroke before unfurling his wings and pumping. Once, twice, three times in quick succession to propel then even higher into the sky. Then he slowed his flight with a short glide before banking off in the direction he needed and falling into a steady flight.

Ornell had only leaned forward when Valen had shifted back. She didn’t grip a thing with her hands as Valen had few actual spines along his lower neck and between his wings. Instead she tightened her legs much like someone riding a horse bareback does. She rose to sit upright once his flight became more regular.

((OOC: I've continued the topic at the Temple of Fire! [linkish] ))