At First Glance[Sly Only]

It was noon with the sun blazing down on the land of Eiria with a comfortable warmth. The sounds of creature chittering and yowling at one another filled the would be silent air with their songs; it kept the day from getting to bored, though some animals were more noisier then other. But it was a day for many creatures to roam and graze; most predators would  be waiting for the sun to rest and the moon to rise before hunting, but not Ami.

The dragoness had just finished her hunt for the day, a rather large creature the resembled an Ox but much larger in size, and was now retreating to a large pond that would ease her thirst. The area was surrounded by trees and underbrush that hid the smaller creatures, but all the larger foliage stopped about 100ft from the shore of the water, giving Ami a good view of everything a crossed the water and small amount around it. Walking out into the open, Ami scanned the area and didn't see anything. Though a rather strange-but not unpleasant scent- hung in the air around the area. Perhaps she had wondered into the territory of a fellow creature.

Either way, Ami approached the water before waddling about ankle deep and dipping her head down low to drink. Her wings slightly raised and tail flicking to and fro to warn anything that wanted to attack her to back off. Once the shadow dragon halfbreed had gotten her drink, she lowered herself down a little more; dipping her head under the water and liftin it back up to splash her body with it, her wings doing the same. Almost like a bird taking a bath in shallow water, though this was mostly to cool her quickly overheating scales. Once she was done, she rouse from the water and started to turn back, wings curled back in and tail dragging through the water lazily; scales dripping away all the water that happened to linger on her body, off. Ami was almost fully turned when she quickly whirled her head back around. The soft shimmer of something brighter in color to the foliage around her caught her by surprise.

It was another dragon, and a huge male at that and it seemed she had just wandered into his territory. Hopefully the gods were on her side today.
Ami immediately rushed out of the water and toward her side of the shoreline, wings raised in a threatening manner to make her look larger, bristles raised to do the same as well as her bio-luminescence marking flashing a warning like she was a poisonous creature that shouldn't be touched.
Now somewhere she felt more secure in, she took the time to take in the males physic, he was vary large, and covered in fur, something that was rather strange to find in this area of climate, but all together, the male was impressive and a fantastic catch for any female that caught his eyes, which Ami had to note were a mystical and icy blue that froze her whole body. A small tremble starting from her toes all the way to her wings and tail tip.

Yes, the male was a good catch, but as things stood, he was a major threat to Ami's survival.

Nothing upon the vast ranges and sea of this continent would have prepared him for new visitors that wander into his territory. Long after the sun roused, had he already taken his fill, his belly warm with the large boar unfortunate to be alone before his eyes caught the prey. The humans called this place Eiria, yet not a single one succeeded in colonising it. Not with a dragon destroying every ship or encampments in his wake. Day after day, he would lay upon the ledge of the highest cave within the mountain range, his fur more accustomed to the freezing air that blanketed their summits in ice. His ever watchful eyes scan the landscape, up to the blanket of sea that stretched to the horizon. Ears perked to the distant calls of birds, and the gentle rush of streams that carried water all over the forest from the mountains. Yet, they were mere white noise to him. He still welcomed their soothing tones, that forever gave him peace and serenity upon a world that showed no mercy to his kind. Only a few remained, and everyday he battled with the possibility that he may the only one remained. It would be a matter of time when the humans would find out what happened to every voyage to the new world, and when they would send their battalions of warships, loaded with dragon-killing harpoons, to deal with the 'threat'. Old scars burned, enlivened by memories of previous encounters. Still, he had the advantage of air and mobility, while they were trapped in their own wooden and metal graves that were their ships. But for how long could he keep this up?

He snapped his neck slightly to turn at the lake - one of several that littered Eiria. A new scent. Fangs bared, that he growled through, tensing his muscles slowly and scraping his claws against the loose rocks, standing. If this were a human scent, he would have dashed and entombed them in a coffin of ice by now. No, this was a different scent. He sniffed louder. It was... nothing he had encountered previously. That was until the creature seemingly appeared from the bordering trees to sip the waters and... bathe in it. His eyes widened, just as his growls stilled. Another dragon? He was slightly thrilled but, had it not notice the scent he placed to mark his territory? Another moment taking in the scent, and he noted it was a female.

Curiously, he unfurled his wing and, just as quickly as he took off, he landed upon the dense foliage, heavily reminded just how high these trees could grow up to. He was a colossal dragon, but these trees had achieved the rare occasion of making Lead seem smaller. Slowly he made his presence known, not attempting to hide in the shadows, as he stepped forward. Very quickly was she able to detect him, and she assumed her threatening pose, wings out. And her bodily markings flaring, one that would have surprised the lesser species. Carefully he examined her form. She was rather sleek, the night-like scales gleaming before the sun and rippling over the muscles they masked. The bristles, which he just noticed, did make him freeze in place, but the more he stared into them, the more he wondered of how rare they were among dragonkind, and seemingly added more to her beauty. How her markings glowed, if he cast aside the threat, would have given him reminiscence of another portion of Eiria in the dark of night, where flowers would bloom and glow, to attract nocturnal insects, but also to illuminate the darkness of the forest in several colours under the starry skies.

He closed his eyes for a moment. It was not the time for those thoughts. As for the matter now, she was still trespassing. In contrast to her threatening gesture, Lead merely stood with a high chest, ever calm as he looked to the smaller female.

You have wandered upon my grounds, yet I have not seen you before upon these lands. Who are you?

Ami watched as he stopped and stared at her for a long moment, she watched as his eye went over her form with a strange grace that she found interesting. He didn't seem in the slightest bit threatened by her presence though, which wasn't a surprise giving his larger size and more then likely stronger build. The only threatening display he seemed to be showing was they he held himself high above her despite the distance, otherwise he seemed rather relaxed.

Ami found herself relaxing almost on instinct when he spoke, his voice was deep and low but still help a youthful pitch to it. Forcing herself to relax the rest of the way, as much as she could in a moment like this, she lowered her wings and slowly the bristles along her spines soothed down again like they were never there. But her markings still flashed and her stance left her more then capable to book it should he decide to stop the friendly act. "My name is Ami; I didn't know these lands were your's and I don't want any trouble." Ami spoke calmly but her voice held a small tremble to it, mostly from adrenaline that told her to run already.

Honestly she should have known better by the scent covering the whole area but it had been so long since she'd last seen a dragon, she forgotten what they even smelt like, a fools error she wouldn't be making again. Ami noticed her eyes were wondering again, taking in the soft look of his fur, which she'd more then likely go to touch if he wasn't such a threat and far away. His paws reminded her of a large feline but with claws like a birds talon that would tear flesh easily; his head adorned a set of beautiful long horns that looked mostly smooth in texture. And dare she say, he had adorable looking ears that reminded her of the tiny rabbits that ran all around them. Ami shook her head to bring herself back to the moment, there was no time to think like that right now. "May I ask your name?" Ami questioned softly, not wanting to push her luck. Despite still seeing him as a threat, Ami decided that perhaps she could play onto his nicer side, making herself seem smaller as she curled her wings in tighter and curled her tail around her paws as she sat, taking the moment to calm her flashing to a dull, almost black, glow. If was a risk to not be able to immediately run or fly with her position but it was a risk she was gonna take considering he might be big but she was smaller and faster, she'd get away before he caught her. Most likely.

Consider amounts of time passed since they first set eyes upon one another. Though it seemed she had decided to move from her threatening gesture. It was still no cause for him to move any closer. Despite the coldness of his stance, deep within, a certain warmth touched him. Oh how it brought him a flicker of peace to see another of his kind for so long. Just how long had it been, he knew not. Memories of courtesy, of proper greetings or gesture, were lost to him. And here was, standing like a frozen animal uncertain of what to do before another creature. Whether they be friend or predator. When she did spoke, it was obvious that she was in the same predicament as he.

I am Lead, he responded to her, voice ever becoming soft to that almost of a tender whisper, just loud enough for her to hear. Greetings aside, he presumed it would be safe for him to take another step to her. On a slightly closer look, he could define the shapes of her glowing streaks, their locations and the array of colours akin to the twilight of dawn or dusk. Such ephemeral beauty that wilts as quickly as it blossoms, gone within a blink.

Once he stepped out onto the meadow, though still considerable distance from her, he revealed all he appeared, and sat. Much of this place is unknown to me, yet the scent of another would not have eluded me this long. Where are you from? He shivered a little and shook his fur, the warmth of day biting tingles into the cool skin beneath. It would not be his intent to thoroughly question her with her origin, or if there were other dragons roaming about. Yet that curiosity and need to know continued to gnaw within his mind like an infected bite. There was something about her form and voice that compelled him forward. He remained steadfast, holding firm upon the thought that she could lunge at him if given the chance.

Ami tensed slightly as he took a few steps closer; but she did not move. She knew better then to do so; mostly because it might cause him to chase after her. When he spoke again it was soft and almost sweet in tone. So his name was Lead? It seemed fitting for the male. Watching as he stepped a bit closer and sat, Ami watched as the fur along his body shifted with the movement of shaking himself of whatever was bothering him. The fur seemed to glow if the light caught it right, she'd love to look at it closer up but wouldn't risk it just yet.

The next time he spoke it caught Ami off guard; while she was slightly embarrassed that she couldn't tell the scent of her own kind, it was mostly her origins that made her uncomfortable to speak of. But she wanted to answer so she didn't seem like she was planning something. "I've never been around many dragons so I cant say the same. As for where I hail, well-" She faltered for a moment before composing herself from reliving old memories. She didn't need to think of the monsters that still lingered in that place. "I'm from Cormere." She muttered the last part, though it was loud enough for him to hear, it still felt like she was whispering to a ghost.

While she had been composing herself she noticed she had moved her head to the ground like she had been ashamed, lifting her head quickly she gave a small grace of a smile before nodding toward him. Blue and Purple eyes wide with interest. "Where do you come from? You said this was a unknown land to you?" Tilting her head slightly; Ami started to relax, mostly because the more she stayed in the males presence, the more he seemed less threatening. And while it wasn't smart; she couldn't help it.

Looking at the male she couldn't help but want to be closer to him, both physically and emotionally. She wanted to know all she could about him, what he liked, what he didn't, what he knew, what his favorite food was, what color he liked most, everything.

His keen eyes saw the muscles beneath her scales tighten when he moved. Perhaps he was right to remain this far from her. Or something else. He was almost acting on his own instincts. So long had he lived isolated from the world, and so long had he longed for the companionship of another of his kind. If not get close, his would only spin with a number of curious questions. He long adjusted to the taste of morning dew in the air, and only started to realise the leaves and grass around him slowly formed a layer of thin ice. As uncomfortable as it was, he forced himself to increase his body temperature. His snout warming up, he took in more of her scent, to remind himself what others of his kind would have smelt like. She had a unique aroma about her that stood above all else that existed. It was difficult to describe or compare, but he knew it was there. Curiosity almost got the better of him as he took another step closer, but nothing more.

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking all that she had spoken. Even when he found another,
it seemed his kind was scattered like nomads across the world since the war. How many of them would be like him? Left in alone and wonder. His ears perked at the whisper. Cormere, he knew, was a desert wasteland region not far from this place. The dried and ragged lands were nothing compared to the lush forest of Eiria. It would be little wonder if she came here with hope of food or water.

Lead never noticed she was downcast until she raised her head up. The eyes of night blue and purple glimmer when she widened them a bit, almost making him think that night had already descended. Aye. Yet I know not of every mountain and river, it served well as my abode. You have arrived on Eiria. You need not fear of humans here. Their pathetic ships and settlements are little prepared for a wandering dragon of ice. As he spoke, the aura about her seemed to be drawing him closer. At first he wondered if he should ever get anymore closer than he was, but as he did so, he was already taking another steady step closer. Until what separated them was a distance almost at claw's length between their snouts. He made sure to do it slow and steady. Last thing he wanted now was to surprise her away into fleeing or attacking.

It took the dragoness a moment to realize just how close the male had gotten but she found that she really didn't mind. Though a part of her mind screamed at her to move away; another part, the one that was winning as it seemed, told her to stay. He was so close that if she really wanted to she could just attack him, or move her snout slightly so that both their noses met in an animal like fashion.

Ami thought better of doing either of her passing ideas as neither of them were appropriate for their current situation. With the male this close she could get a better scent off him, letting herself inhale just slightly deeper than normal, she almost smiled. Lead smelt of a cold winters breeze that mingle perfectly with what smelt of pine or spring dew. Ami loved the scent and had to make sure she didn't move any closer to just get a stronger sniff. Taking a moment to look at Lead in the closer light, Ami notice just how much larger he was to her, almost two to three times her size. If the female really wanted to she could mostly likely hide under him without much effort.

At the mention of humans Ami couldn't help but tilt her head in wonderment.

"I dont see many human, not where i'm from at least. Do they come here often? Are they truly as dangerous as other tell?" Ami couldn't stop the rapid fire of questions, mostly because the only humans she had ever seen had been no more then four to five that seemed to be of a traveling band. Transporting their livestock of camels and sheep to another location in the ever cruel and dead lands of Cormere. And when the half-breed had landed near them they immediately started to run, screaming like they had been caught like wild prey. Ami was tempted on batting them around much like a feline would but decided her need for actual food and better land was more important.  Her tail seemed to have a mind of its own as it swished back and forth on the ground with interest.

Within him he judged he was close enough to know much about her, from every luminescent glow to the most minor detail of her scent. No matter what, he could never get used to them. Even if he were to blame it on the wedge that separated him from the company of other dragons, he found he was exposing himself too much of her. The fear or inner conflict still raged within her, he could sense. As if to relieve her of such, he sat where he was, the ground around him slowly layered in a thin sheet of ice. The glowing streaks of her scales was only the kind of patterns which Lead could only but dream of. The bristly cream furs that covered him was only adequate to endure shivering temperatures but barely had any appeal in them. Or at least he thought. So long he prayed to see another of his kind, but never thought to have encountered a mature female. His mind fighting against itself, pathetically searching for the right words to speak that would convey very little anger, coldness, or sass.

Lead curled his tail around himself, requiring a bit of effort with the bones already at its limit in its flex. Not like the dexterity of a serpentine tail which Ami had. How strange. The two were completely different species, if their appearances were to be ignored. Yet something in him persisted, for him to move forward. How forward, he dared not wander into his own instincts. She spoke of the humans, and the mere mention of how dangerous they were was enough of a spark for rage to clench his fangs. They know no bounds to their cruelty. Nothing but their foul creations of destruction is sacred. I watched them. They butchered my brothers and sisters, tore off every leg and bone, enthralled to nothing but their own selves. Mayhap they are yet to discover where you abode, but Cormere is no stranger to them. Humans, He hissed calmly through clenched fangs, a low growl echoing from his throat, and his claws held a mound of dirt, crushing them, none of them are welcome here. He immediately relaxed, that moment realising what he was doing. His expression dropped to that of neutral, needing only to look at the glow of her streaks. The vibrant colours that emitted an aura near them in his sight, a strange mix of purple, blue and pink that blended so well. It suppressed his rage, and prevented him from going any further. How all these years, it was the only thing that drove him to be stronger, to slaughter those who dared to tarnish the soils of Eiria with their boots. He would be lying if, in the presence of Ami, that he felt weaker.

What has brought you here, Ami? Know that with humans festering upon this world, should you not have know better than leave the sanctuary that kept you alive until now? He never was a talkative type. Not that there was any to talk with before her. Even if there were better, or more friendlier ways to reiterate what he spoke, such technicalities were long lost from him. Now he was left with his knowledge, and pure instinct. Both a crude combination to drive him to act and speak upon impulse.

Ami listened to him, watching the rage flow of him like a wave of fire before soothing once more. She didn't know that humans were as dangerous as Lead made them to be, then again, the humans of Cormere were poor so not many could ever harm a dragon such as herself. But here, they seemed far more likely to attack. She watched as Lead's talons crushed the dirt, letting it crumble to the ground. Ami instantly wanted to pull back into herself when he asked her why she'd left her home. She found her wings moving on there own to wrap around her body and to shield her from something that she couldn't escape.

"I most likely would have stayed but I have no place there." Ami kept herself from grimacing, but she went on, she didn't want the only dragon she knew that so far had been nice to her to be suspicious. "My mother was different from a normal dragon and her family didn't like others that were not of their kind. So when she found a male that wasn't of her tribe and had a child with him, me, her family came after us. They killed my parents and chased me out. That's why I left the sanctuary that let me survive for so long, I couldn't hide anymore."

Ami felt ashamed that she had run now that she told another, but she never would have survived had they found her. She wasn't strong or large like the male before her, she was small and frail, made for speed. Meant to run away instead of fight. Her wings seemed to pull in closer to herself as she felt tears brim her eyes, now she really wanted to hide herself. She was telling her life story to someone she just met and crying over it. Not the best introduction one could make. She raised a paw toward her face to wipe the tears away before they could fall, sniffling a moment to calm herself. "Sorry." She apologized in a small voice.

((Eyyy late reply, so why not throw in some angst-y past to make things up lol))

With many years living in solitude, many years craving for companionship, it was difficult for him to determine consequences of his action until it was too late. His words were no different, and he had nothing but her reaction to them as guidance to how he should speak. Her emotions were resonant. At least to him, a contrast like the sleeping sun to the encroaching stars that glittered the skies. Clear. Mystic. Inspiring. But cold. And dark. Even how she tried to hide behind her own wings was enough proof with what he was sensing within her. Fearful... but brave. Brave enough to speak such tale that could shadow the hearts of many in pain and sadness.

Lead closed his eyes, a gentle growl leaving his throat. So their kind had descended further. Not only were they to live in fear of humans, but of each other as well? Was there any end to the madness of this world? To be hunted over reasons beyond her knowledge, when she had commit no wrong. You need not my pardon, he said. I suppose they found you,
and you came seeking sanctuary from them. Lead turned to the water beside him, staring at the distorting reflection of him. A monstrous recreation of his image that, unfortunately for him, still rang true to his mind. A sore reminder why he dared not approach Ami any further. He would open his wings for her, yet must not let her come near him. Every blink, a quick flash of black and red of the last image he saw. They were blood. Blood that coloured the lake. That dotted the leaves and bush. Blood that covered those who cross. Enemy and friend. A gruesome fate of those who came near him upon his blood-induced rage.

Yet not for her. Those images had been serving as guide for him to keep away. Like destiny. Even if it meant something, he turned his gaze from Ami. As painful as it was to look away from her. In that short moment, he felt a connection. Her inner calm of the warm night, against his inner storm of a cold day. It was like getting his flesh ripped by a claw, but he knew it was for the best. I concede to your plight. You may stay however long you wish. There is a cave at the foot of a mountain, to where the sun will set. It used to be a home for a bear. You may have that territory. He looked up to the clouds, trying to make it look like he was just reflecting on past memories. When in reality, he was trying to find something else to add. So as to not make it any more awkward. I... hope it would be to your liking.

(Really late post, sorry ;-; )

Ami kept her head low, mostly to hide her tears that slowly slipped from her eyes as she calmed herself down. Her body instinctively flinched when she heard him growl but as she looked up, she saw it wasn't aimed at her, which eased her racing mind. Muscles worked to moved her limbs as her wings moved back to her sides, though they still held close to her form. Relaxing her slowly as Lead continued to speak in the deep, yet somehow calming, voice. Telling her that she could stay and where she could reside.


Tears forgotten, Ami smiles like a small hatchling would having been rewarded by a parent for something they did. A small choked sob escaped her without her meaning and she almost started to cry again; though for an entirely different reason. "Thank you, thank you so much!" Though her voice was soft, her every emotion clung to them. Fear, relief, fatigue, joy and more. Ami moved forward before she could stop herself and nuzzled the males chest in a quick gesture of thanks. He was softer then she would have though and so warm to the touch she didn't wanna move away from him. His scent was even stronger now then it was from where she had been sitting and she could almost imagine that snow was starting to fall with how strong it smelled. But just as fast as she had moved toward him, she scrambled back realizing what she had done.

As Ami scurried back, almost falling as she did, she spewed quick apology after apology. "Im so sorry! I didn- I mean I-" cutting herself off each time she could only feel her shock at what she had done rise along with slight fear. She just couldn't keep herself under control and just had to go and thank him with a hug. Once she felt she was far enough away; which was a whole arms length away, she bowed her head. "Sorry." She mumbled once more. "It's just I- I've never had a place to call home and I got too excited, It wont happen again." Ami went on for a few more moments before quieting and waiting for what the male might do. All her marking's flashing in her distress

//Pfft, its fine, you did announce you wouldn't be replying for a while so I expected it//