First Outing of the Season [action]

[wishmadeinfire]

[ Ashura knew he could simply wish anything he wanted up into his rooms at the Castle, but there was a certain... delight in going to get them yourself, in taking that small bit of labor. It was an excuse to leave the stone walls and to bring Svitana out of the stables, an excuse to poke through the new things in the town. And maybe it was giving Felix a fair chance to possibly waylay him, not that Felix would really deter him from his usual attempt to turn their apartment into a forest of flowers and ferns in the warmer months.

And he would make the attempt. Never doubt it. He loved nature so very much, especially flowers with all their bright colors. 

He casually walked with his carnivorous beast through the town, ground tying him whenever he wished to go into a shop. The dragon-horse would stand, most people smart enough to avoid him as he waited for Ashura, the saddle-packs across his withers steadily filling, flowers poking out in places and taking away some of the natural 'danger' that exuded from him. It was anyone's guess if Svitana was actually bothered by this. Ashura thought it suited his mount, rewarding him with bits of jerky now and then for his continued patience.

What, it was perfectly normal to ride something like Svitana through his own town, and he had been here three years already (almost). So he was perfectly comfortable leaving him there as he wandered through town, picking up more and more things for the warming weather - flowers, some bird seed in a small packet, treats for Sybil and Agni, new ribbons for them even for their spring/summer collars, new soaps for hair and body made from herbs and scents available once winter released its strangle hold. More than a few sweets were in hand by the end of it all, and Svitana looking more than a little peevish at playing pack mule.

Ah, well, it was all worth it for jerky, wasn't it? ]

[ooc: ashura is out and about the town today! He's shopping, and when he goes in, he leaves Svitana out (his dragon-horse). So, basically, have a giant scaly beast standing there, with stuff pocking out of saddle packs (that are not really secure). Catch Ashura as he flitters about, or poke the dragon-horse if you dare.]

Comments

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Coincidentally, Chie is also out in town! Her initial plan was to look around, but with how easy it is to get money in this world, she went shopping. She normally doesn't shop alone, but she's not going very far in the town.

Walking down the streets, she looks around in awe of the place. Her eyes catches the sight of a familiar animal, Svitana!]

Svitana? This must mean Ashura-san is here too.

[She walks closer to Svitana standing outside of a shop]

Hey there, remember me?

[wishmadeinfire]

<sub>[ Svitana turned his scaled and frilled head, snorting. He blinked dark eyes at her before turning away and raising a clawed foot to rub at his maw. Yes, no, it was hard to tell.

But someone else did.]</sub>

Oh, Chie, what a pleasant surprise.

_{[ Ashura came out of the shop, a small parcel wrapped in brown paper and string in his hands.]}

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Yo! What did you get? [Chie smiled while lightly petting Svitana's neck]

[wishmadeinfire]

Oh, a little something for myself. I like to indulge, now and then.

_{[He gave her a mischievous little smile as he tucked it into one of the saddle packs, Svitana not seeming to be bothered by the weight in the least.]}

[pint_sized_carnivore]

A little something, huh? Is it food?

[wishmadeinfire]

Haha, yes, actually. I admit I have a rather large appetite, though most people do not believe me. What are you in town for?

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Just checking it out, and do a little shopping while I'm at it. Staying in the castle all day is really bad for my mental health...

But they sell really cute accessories in that one shop I just came from [That may or may not sell magic amulets]

[wishmadeinfire]

Ah... did they tell you what said accessories did?

_{[He glanced, perhaps a bit worriedly, at the young woman. ]}

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Uh... No. I just looked around the store and paid it upfront.

[wishmadeinfire]

You might want to take it to my fiancee and have him check it, or have someone else in Chimera, just in case. Some things are not dangerous, but every now and then something sneaks in on things like trinkets and accessories. They should be able to tell you if it has a magic on it or not.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh right! I didn't think of that! I thought they're just regular trinkets...

[wishmadeinfire]

They might just be, but it never hurts to check. If you give it to me, I can take it to Felix. He should be in the HQ right about now, or possibly the library. The man loves his research.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh, okay. [Chie hands the bag where the trinkets are kept to Ashura] HQ, huh? That sounds fancy. Do you guys have this super elite group or something?

[last_rat_standing]

[James had been out for a wander of his own when he saw......



What the bloody hell is that?!



He stands across the street trying not to stare at the thing that looks like it stepped off of some dime store fantasy novel cover.]

[wishmadeinfire]

<sub>[ Svitana grunts and shifts on his legs, massive body rippling with muscle beneath red scales. He dropped his head and rubbed his muzzle on his foreleg, claws flashing in the sunlight.

For a minute the creature lifted its head and gazed right at James - a carnivore's eyes, sharp and intelligent in their animal way.

Then it turned its head again, removing James from his regard as Ashura glided up to him, packages in hand and reaching up, without the slightest bit of fear, to stroke the narrow, reptilian jaw with obvious affection. ]</sub>

[last_rat_standing]

[... he shouldn't be surprised at this. Really he shouldn't.

He sighs and crosses his arms, still content to watch the pair. What? He has no inclination to step closer to that THING unless he has a good reason to]

[wishmadeinfire]

<sub>[ No, James, you shouldn't.

Ashura reached into a small pouch at his waist and brought out a bit of jerky, feeding it to Svitana before moving to the saddle-packs, tucking his purchases inside, looking around and his eyes settling on James.

He smiled and raised his hand in greeting. ]</sub>

James, good to see you out and about.

[last_rat_standing]

[He nods a greeting at Ashura, making no move to step closer]

Yes, well I'm not about to barricade myself in my room for the duration.

[... not that he didn't think about it]

[wishmadeinfire]

Good. Some people have that idea, but I find it terribly limiting. How are you finding the town?

_{[ He takes the reins that are situated behind Svitana's head, walking closer to him. The dragon-horse's claws leave holes in the ground where the beast has dug in. ]}

[last_rat_standing]

Small. [He says as if that covers everything. He looks around, seemingly scanning the street. Somehow, however, his attention stays on that... thing... Seriously what is that?]

Although it dies have enough to supply someone with nearly everything they could want.

[wishmadeinfire]

Well, of course it would. The Castle needs us to survive, after all, and being happy here makes us... well, it is hard to say if that is the Castle's desires, but it has never made life terribly difficult - at least not often.

_{[ He reaches into the pouch at his belt and removes a piece of jerky, feeding to the beast once more like one might feed a horse or perhaps a dog. ]}

[last_rat_standing]

I'm still not entirely convinced that the castle has a mind of its own let alone needs and desires.

[He's still watching that creature with extreme caution]

[wishmadeinfire]

You will, soon enough.

<sub>[ He smiles a sort of sad smile that his mixed with a frown of concern. An odd expression, but it was a mixed bag of feelings.

He shook it off, though, and motioned to Svitana.]</sub>

James, this is Svitana, my dragon-horse.

[last_rat_standing]

[He raises an eyebrow]

What, pray tell, is a dragon horse?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Ashura's brows rise again and he looks to Svitana and back to James. He motions at the scaled beast. ]}

Svitana. Svitana is a dragon-horse.

_{[ Duh, James, he just told you. ]}