exsiliumlogs | (no subject) (part 2)

[ The discretion that Deathwing had impressed on her is still holding out, for a little while longer at least — and so she'd headed out into the desert for exactly the same reason Crucible had. Unfortunately (or fortunately, maybe, as she now has the advantage of cover) he'd made it there first.

She's currently a black cat, sticking close to the shadowy under hang of a rock and eying what she's completely certain is a huge broze dragon. Her golden eyes are large and wary, pupils fully dilated despite the bright sun, and she looks as if she's sure it will lunge for her at any moment, even if she hasn't been seen yet.

There's a teleportation spell at the tip of her mind, but... but not yet. This is her first time seeing what she can only assume is a real metallic dragon, after all. Escape can wait a little longer. ]

[For a time after changing the massive dragon sat half curled under a large rocky outcropping he had found, large enough cover even his colossal form in the shade of the slowly setting sun.

His gaze occasionally sweeping the around the area, keeping his senses alert for sign of any local or other that might come across him. Seemingly unaware of the presence of another nearby, as deep in thought as he seemed at that moment, letting his thoughts linger on what he had learned in the previous few days, along with the meetings between both Kang and Laurana. Perhaps an opportunity to get a better look at the bronze while his attention was seemingly on other matters.

His gaze turning skyward as the sun continued in its descent, his focus turning to what clouds that lingered in the sky above, encouraging their growth with the intent to better hide his form from the town below when he intended to take flight later that evening.]

[ When he doesn't immediately scent her out and go for the attack, Khisanth grows a little bolder. The more she considers it, the more she realizes this is a fantastic opportunity. A chance to study a bronze unaware! The nyphids had always impressed on her that it was best to know everything one could about one's opponents, what better chance than this?

So, in a few minutes, an unassuming brown sparrow darts out from under the outcropping and into sight. She immediately bursts into song as she flutters about Crucible, apparently thinking of nothing more than staking a claim on the immediate territory and looking for lunch about the scant brush around him.

If it seems like this little songbird is methodical in the way it circles to see him from all sides, why, that must be coincidence. ]

[For a time his focus remains on the clouds above, the sparrow getting but a glance at first. Giving her the chance to observe his form, it would be quite clear that he was no inexperienced dragon even if his size itself did not give that away. A number of scars littering his form, particularly between his shoulder blades and on one of his hind legs.

With a nod to himself his focus returned to the present, his work on the weather above in motion and needing no further attention. Seeming at first to go back into thought before he turns his gaze slowly to the sparrow that was fluttering about his form. It was a bold one he would give it that.

If he notices the methodical nature of its circles he doesn't show it, although he does speak up after a moment, in a way that would be clear a bird such as the sparrow would understand, and be able to respond to.]

You needn't concern yourself as to the territory, my stay will be brief.

Tell me, bird, what do you know of this area?

[ She notes the scars with interest. This must be a dragon of decent age, to have accumulated a collection like that. Definitely not someone she wants to face, as if the size weren't enough of a deterrent alone. Her tiny heart nearly beats out of her chest to be addressed — had he known, somehow? — until she realizes he speaks for a bird, not a dragon.

She forces herself to remain calm, forces herself to light the slender branch of a dry thicket, adjusting her feathers with a few more last quick flaps. The nervous, twitchy habits of the bird suit this mood well, and she appreciates that they're natural. ]

Humans in west, insects thick to north, hawks hunt east. East! [ She's spoken to sparrows before, she's totally got this inane jabber down. ]

[He nods patiently as his keen gaze rests on the sparrow for a time before casting his gaze off in the direction of the town. Thinking on the sparrow's reply. He'd certainly spoken with enough birds to know to be patient with their jabbering.]

What brings you to hunt here? Surely this brush are quite sparse.

[He comments off handedly as he glances to the brush in question, though not lingering on the question. The fact that it was hunting through the brush with one such as himself nearby was curious enough.]

What of water, are there any bodies of water nearby?

Here is nest. East is water, east is hawks.

[ Is there water east? She has no idea, she hasn't explored this region yet. But maybe a distraction will stop him from any more questions about geography, so she launches herself from her branch and busily resumes the hunt. ]

Big-wings scares all the insects. [ That's an annoyed scolding twitter, thrown out after a few swoops turn her up empty-beaked. Pretty spot-on for a sparrow though, and she's proud of her act. Even if it might be a little overly-bold. No bird would dare treat her like this, but maybe the birds of Earth don't know any better. That seems reasonable. ]

I shall keep that in mind.

[There wasn't much water east as far as he had seen, but he had not traveled far himself, so he couldn't well confirm if what the sparrow said was true.

Watching her a moment as she busily resumed the hunt in the brushes about him, shaking his head a little before looking to the clouds above, they were indeed slowly gathering, changing but naturally so.

At her comment though he couldn't help but give an amused snort, for a sparrow she was a bold one indeed it seemed.]

And not small wings? They shall return I'm sure however.

[He shook his head as he cast the sparrow a glance.]

Have you seen any other big-wings? Anything else out of the ordinary the last few days?

No, only hawks.

[ Oh, look, now she has an excuse for her brassiness, perfect. Except that she's starting to get a little sick of the inanity of sparrows. She's curious about this dragon, and a sparrow wouldn't think to ask any of the questions she wants answers to. Maybe she can push it a little further, even if it's a tiny bit un-sparrowlike. ]

Big-wings doesn't live here. Where is big-wings from? [ Is it Krynn? Or Azeroth? Deathwing had said something about... was it brass dragons, or bronze? It hadn't seemed important at the time. ]

Is that so?

[That drew a raise of an eyeridge from the dragon, clearly amused at the brassiness of the sparrow at hand. Conversations with sparrows were rarely dull, even when inane they had an attitude to them.

At her answer he dipped his head thoughtfully, that was something then, at least there were no others this sparrow had seen. But then he rarely relied on just one source of information. The question though struck him as slightly odd but not seeming to put anything to it as he went on.]

A place far from here, known as Krynn to those who call it home.

[ Then he is one of Paladine's. She thinks she's supposed to feel disgusted to learn that, but she only manages fascination. She flutters a little nearer for a better look, closer than she had so far. ]

Big-wings is too big for catching insects, too big for toads and foxes. [ This seems like a good direction to push it, if she wants to learn whether he can change shape too. Nothing a sparrow would care about, but, well, maybe she's a very observant sparrow. ] What will you eat?

[ A curious sparrow she was indeed and observant. Perhaps more so than a sparrow would be. He nevertheless goes along with the questions.]

I can subsist on little if needed, although larger animals such as buffalo or sheep should they be present. I may be too big now but I am not always so big.

[He gives a shake of his head before peering towards town. Curious as to how the sparrow would react to as much.]

The humans have fair food for trade as well.

[ Ooh, she's getting there. More interested in her success than in her act, which is capitulating slowly in favor of information, she lands again not far off from him to watch him closely. ]

You're big enough to catch humans. Why would they— [ She catches herself just before she says 'trade with you'. ] —Give food?

[His tone clearly shows some amusement at the Sparrow's curiosity. He was enjoying the conversation, even if he had growing suspicions as to the sparrow in question.]

That I am, although humans are not something that I eat.

When one can look like one of them they can be far more inclined to trade for food.

[ Aha! She puffs her chest feathers, pleased by the results of her sleuthing. So there will be a metallic dragon wandering about Exsilium in human shape. Now if she can just learn which human it will be... ]

Look like them? Look how like them?

[That draws the slightest raise of an eyeridge, though with the same sense of amusement as prior, was it him or did the 'sparrow' seem pleased at the information.]

I have my ways, I able to change my form and take on that of a human, among other forms.

[ It seems to... suddenly occur to her that she's still a sparrow, and owes this conversation a little more empty headedness than she's been showing. So she flings herself from her perch to resume the quick darting about, twittering jauntily as she goes: ]

Big-wings says but I do not see or believe!

[And there was the sparrowness again, curious indeed. He has his suspicions as to the little bird. Especially the lines that the questions had been drawn, curious as to where it would lead however.

He gives an amused snort at her comment and rose an eyeridge.]

I doubt one such as yourself would believe it even if you saw it.

[He commented, curious as to how the Sparrow would respond.]

[ She's so close to finding out that she can nearly taste it. And once she learns that much, she tells herself, she'll call it a successful interrogation and beat a retreat. ]

Big-wings does not know that at all.

[Crucible watches the sparrow with curiosity, while the attitude was no doubt that of a sparrow, the direction it had lead the conversation and its methodical observation gave him the sense there was an intelligence beyond that of a sparrow.]

Is that so?

[Crucible pondered a moment as to whether he should reveal his form or not. Had it been prior to the revelation of his identity he would not have talked of such even with a sparrow. However here as Sanction he had no intention of hiding his true form.

With an amused snort his decision was made. With a bright light Crucible's form shrank down rapidly to take the form of a tall man with brown hair clad in golden tunic and leather pants. His gaze never leaving the Sparrow, watching its reaction carefully.]

[ Success. And — whoa, this guy can give himself clothing, too. She should learn that trick. But in the meantime, she has an act to wrap up and a hasty exit to make. She darts in a little nearer, as if for a better look (committing that face to memory), and warily back out again. ]

Can Big-wings still understand? Man never listens.

[Well now that was interesting, that the sparrow didn't fly from the transformation along with its continued curiosity especially when she darts in.]

I can still understand, humans can though I would wager.

[ Not a surprising answer; she can understand the creatures around her in any form too, when she cares to. But now to find a good cause for an exit...

She darts away a little further, to where he won't hear her murmur a spell under her breath. And when the illusionary shadow of a hawk appears circling overhead, she doesn't even bother excuse herself, only takes off in a low skim across the ground and away. ]

[Raises an eyeridge at the sudden appearance of that shadow as the Sparrow darted off, letting it go for now. He knew its scent well and the scent that lingered with it.

Shaking his head he turned his attention to the 'convenient' hawk above, waiting until the Sparrow was well out of sight before with a gesture he dispelled the illusion, a thoughtful look given in the direction on the sparrow.]

(no subject) (part 2)

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