Oblivious

[hobbit]

Boys in her village had used to joke about her favorite season- they couldn’t understand how it could be spring. To them, a favorite season corresponded to the temperament of a girl, because they didn’t do any outside work (which was a laughable idea). The boys had claimed that River had to love winter, because she was so wintry. On a good day, she would simply smirk and wander back inside. Most days weren’t good days, though, and most of the time the boy nearest was hit with whatever item River could get a hold of fastest. If she couldn’t get an item, her first would do just fine.

The young woman lay on her back in the plain, head resting on her folded arms. She was fully enjoying the weak sun, and the early spring weather. She did not like spring because it was the season of birth; she did not like it because it was warm…she really didn’t have any reason to like spring, for all of the seasons had their positive aspects. The season just seemed to call to her, which was an insane thought, since the world couldn’t speak, but didn’t everyone have a little bit of insanity within them?

A twig snapping somewhere to her left caused River to shoot up, and her hand flew to the sword she carried. She had nicked it from an old man, too blind to notice; the man had been old and dusty, but the sword had been well cared for, and even River could tell that it was high quality. She had no dreams of selling it, though. She took the sword to use. She didn’t desire much money, and what she wanted, she could get without selling something as suspicious as a sword. River frowned to herself, for she could hear nothing else. A few more minutes ticked by before she decided that it had just been a passing animal. River toyed with the thought of lying down once more, but she had some walking to do. She wasn’t running from anyone, but staying in one spot for too long was…icky.

The short human rose to her feet, hands stretching up to the sky, back arching, as she stretched. She finished her stretch with a yawn, before looking out across the flat landscape. While the plain allowed for one to be seen, at least one could also see anyone else. It was why she had chosen to rest here- River could handle herself in a fight, but she despised being snuck up on.

“Stab ‘em in the eye if they do it,” River muttered to herself. Like everyone else, she was insane enough to talk to herself. With a light chuckle, the young woman set off once more, seemingly oblivious to the world as she hummed to herself.

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

Boredom seemed to be Orion's middle name when with the Grellon. It seemed like there was never enough excitement! Silently the fiery rogue slipped though the trees, silent as the wind. Traveling high in the trees made him feel safer, more secure, as few enemies could follow him to such places. Also, the height and risk of falling reminded him a little of Ohanzee, the place he learned so well.

Instead of staying in the claustrophobia-inducing forest, he decided to wander out onto the plains. Dropping his cloak in the shelter of an oak tree's branches, he jumped to the ground, landing lightly. Clad in a dark tunic and darker pants, Orion walked from the shelter of the trees and into the direct sunlight of the plains.

After a quick stretch, he readjusted Aithne so the sword no longer hung from his waist, but diagonally across his back. His most prized possession secured, he bolted. Lean and quick, running came easily to him. In Ohanzee, he was always running, along the streets, upon the rooftops, and down below in the sewers. Running from Magrej's soldiers was one of his favorite pastimes.

Running help Orion forget the stresses of this world. He could release everything, anger, sorrow, pain, life. Orion ran to relax, to feel true freedom. People thought that living as a happy, somewhat easily distracted rogue was the truest freedom there was, but Orion knew otherwise. It was difficult, living day after day, putting on a happy face, when you knew someone around you would die, either by starvation, illness, or some other cause. But he did it. Orion's biggest job in the Grellon was to keep everyone happy, laughing at his antics. It was one of the things he was truly good at.

~ ~ ~

A scrawny young boy walked in the trees above his mother. She stopped, a depressed look on her face. The boy, seeing this, swung down from the trees, dangling in the air with his legs hooked over a branch. "Look Mom, I'm a monkey!" The small redhead smiled brightly at his mother as she turned around. When she saw him, she broke into laughter. His mother's laugh was the sweetest sound, and he cherished it. "Come on down, monkey boy, and let's see what we can find to eat." The boy dropped from the trees and walked beside his mother, moving deeper into the barren land called a swamp.

~ ~ ~

Thoughts of his mother caused Orion to falter, and he stopped. Fighting back the tears threatening the surface, he took deep breaths, trying to think of something else, anything else. After a while, he regained his composure. Before he could continue running, however, he saw something in the distance. As soon as he recognized a human figure, he dropped low, hiding among the tall grasses and flowers.

One hand lifted to grasp Aithne, and he waited, still and silent, for the stranger to approach.

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[hobbit]

In a land like this, one learned to scan the terrain and analyze everything as quickly as possible. There was no time for second glances, as the people here, the things here, were swift; a second glance could mean that Death would lightly take your hand and pull you away. For River, it had been exceptionally vital. Her mother may have been a small woman, proud in appearance and haughty, the type you wouldn’t think of to hit or curse or spit, but that woman’s fists had been swift, her words sharp, and her nails as sharp as a cat’s claws. Quick glances, and the ability to make out things without looking again, had assisted River many times. It assisted her now, as she looked out across the remarkably flat landscape.

Her eyes, a dark grey like the sky after a storm, caught something. Something in the shape of a person. Instinctively, River reached for the weapon she carried; she looked again, but as she had figured, the person was out of sight. However, that did not mean the person was gone. River stood still for a moment, arguing with herself. If she turned, and walked the other way, there was a chance that the figure would not follow her- but, if she kept walking, they could encounter each other. If the figure did decide to follow her, though, River would be at a disadvantage; besides, she had come to this plain with a bit of a purpose in mind. Only a deaf man couldn’t have heard of the outlaws, the band that patrolled the mountains. Loyalty was not something River expressed, nor was she good at having it, but she did appreciate a group to rely on.

This person could be a thief…an assassin…which will make my night all the more fun, she thought to herself, a smirk sliding across her narrow face as she moved across the land. She did not bother to be quiet, for the figure could surely see her, wherever it was. She did not make too much noise, though, for she did not wish to attract any more unwanted guests.

As she grew closer, River began to make out a shock of hair against the lush green grass- a man. Oh, joy! Scowling, River paused where she was, far enough away that the other could not strike her. “Why are you crouching in the grass?” she snorted, “I don’t know much about the mating rituals of savages, but I’m pretty sure no female would find…that attractive,” she waved at the man as she spoke, the scowl sliding off her face with each word until she was as stony looking as a gargoyle.

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

He realized he was caught the moment the figure started walking toward him. Sighing he remained where he was until the female spoke. After she shut up, he stood, simultaneously sliding Aithne from its sheath. Letting the sword, blade etched in flame, hanging lightly by his side, he lifted his ice blue eyes to the female before him.

"Savage? No, I am anything but. Besides, with a look and personality like mine, I don't have to worry about whether my behavior is attractive." Orion gave a smile that could charm even the wildest spirit into submission. Leisurely, Orion circled the female. Every move he made was relaxed and casual, but he remained attentive.

Still smiling that devastating smile, he circled back around to face her. "I am Orion, Head Troublemaker of the Grellon. Is there any way I can assist you, wanderer?" His words were level and smooth, with no trace of hostility. Calmly, he slipped Aithne into its sheath before repositioning the sword to hang at his waist.

His sword, his best friend, was a weapon of beauty. Crafted by the most skilled blacksmith, it was hand-made special for him as a gift when he first joined the Grellon. Its deadly dual-edged blade was made of the finest steel and etched with dancing flames. The hilt, beautifully dyed red, was adorned with a massive pommel ruby that burned like fire in the sun. The sheath, red-dyed steel, was adorned with tiny rubies straight down the center on either side.

Aithne was an extension of Orion's arm in battle. The two became one, making him a powerful enemy. Between Orion's quick temper and his skill with Aithne, he was a formidable opponent. Orion knew his abilities and limits in battle, and if this meeting ended up in a fight, he was confident in his ability.

"So, who are you, and what brings you here?"

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[hobbit]

While waiting for the man to rise from the ground, River began to wonder what the mating call of a savage was. Perhaps she could step on this man’s toe and find out? It always seemed that yells of pain were mimicked during the mating season; hormones suddenly turned the horrendous sounds into something quite attractive. She did not have longer to ponder this before the man rose, sliding his sword from its sheath. The way he held the sword did not hint at danger, but River was not going to take the chance; she had no friends out here, and if she was hurt, she would be far from anyone that may take pity on her. As swift as a cheetah running across its homeland, River drew the sword she had nicked from its sheath as well. She did not hold it as loosely as the strange man did, making it quite clear that she did not trust him.

His words, however, caused exasperation to run across her face. If he thought that she, or any other female with brains, was to be charmed by a smile, River would be doing the world a favor if she castrated him now. As he circled her, River stayed in one spot, although she tensed and moved her head, as to always keep her eyes on him. It was wise to keep an eye on one’s enemy, for an enemy was like a snake; they would not hesitate to strike, nor would they always strike at the front.

It was when he came to stand before her once more, sword now back in its sheath, that River relaxed. She kept her own weapon out, though, simply because the way this Orion had smiled, the way he had moved, did not make her feel any more comfortable. A fool would have surely put away their weapon, confident that the sharing of a name meant that there was trust, but this was a land where messages took a long time to deliver. A man could tell his name to hundreds and be long gone before the news reached anyone of importance.

“My name is River,” she said simply. While her given name was Amirra, the female had not gone by it for quite some time. She had always despised the name- it was far too feminine for her taste. “I primarily came just to come, although I had toyed with the idea of meeting an outlaw. And, why, here, before me, stands one,” she added, with a mock gasp of surprise, her mouth briefly rounding in a shocked ‘O’ before her full lips fell together once more. “By the way, lovely title you have there Orion. My brother…he shares it, of course not for the Grellons. He’s ten, but perhaps you two would like to meet up anyway,” she added.

No one said River had to play nice.

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

Orion laughed at River's antics. The way she held her sword, the way she stood.. She definitely did not trust him. "You don't trust me, River? It's okay, I don't bite.. much..." Orion smiled, a playful, harmless smile. He meant her no harm, and he wanted her to realize that. As he listened to her speak, his smile broadened.

"Your brother sounds like an interesting kid. Where is he? Is he nearby?" The redhead glanced about jokingly. Looking back to River, his eyes gleamed. Holding his arms out to the sides, he said, "So, you've finally met an outlaw. What do you think? Is it everything you expected? More? Less? Of course, I'm not the epitome of perfection, but then again, no one is. Though some do come pretty close."

That was Orion. Bored, playful, always looking for fun, usually finding trouble. He never meant any harm, though, and his intentions were always good. Unfortunately, not everyone could see that.

"Would you like to meet more "outlaws", as you call us? I promise, they aren't all hyper, bored troublemakers like I am." His smile grew a tad mischievous.

Holding out his hand as an invitation, he continued, "Care to meet more of my people?"

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[hobbit]

Well, wasn’t he just a clever one!

Then again, the human hadn’t really been trying to hide the fact that she didn’t trust him. There was no need to hide behind a veil of lies; oh, she certainly didn’t frown upon doing so, as acting was simply lying with skill, but she highly doubted that Orion was one of those people that one simply couldn’t beat. She chuckled lightly as he carried on speaking. Before replying, the woman sheathed her sword once more. Only a fool would keep their sword out long after things were deemed safe.

“If by quick, you mean a ten day walk…yes, my brother is very near,” River said. Which wasn’t exactly true. She had no clue if her brother was dead or alive. A better sister would have been worried by this, and while she cared, River saw no need to waste her energy worrying about her brother. Her parents were not the best, but if they were alive, so was her brother. And, if they were all dead, there was no use in mourning; she was not half phoenix. Her tears could not heal fatal wounds.

“Hmm…to be honest, this is kind of disappointing. I imagined you outlaws would be more…physically intimidating,” she mused, but before she could say any more, Orion was carrying on. Offering to take her to the others.

Her eyes glowed at the very thought. She did not regard the Grellon as a mystical force worthy of being worshipped (hell, she wouldn’t even regard a deity as such), but she had been interested in joining their ranks. It did not seem like a group that demanded one to be around all the time, which worked for her. River preferred to move around, listening and watching, reporting…knowing. However, she did hesitate. Tough little River didn’t do good in crowds.

Then again, why waste a chance because there would be more people? She had walked in towns; she could handle meeting…Orion’s “people”. She eyed his hand for a moment before grinning slightly, “I don’t do well with physical contact. However, lead the way. Unlike the spaniel, I can still follow when not held.”

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

Orion grinned when River mentioned outlaws being physically intimidating. "Looks can be deceiving, y'know." As he spoke of taking her to the Grellon, he noticed the way her eyes lit up. The outlaw drew his hand back with a shrug. "Suit yourself. But I hope you can keep up." With a devious grin, Orion turned and headed toward the mountains.

He started at a brisk walk before starting to jog. After looking behind him to make sure River was still following, he took off, running across the open plains. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sky, enjoying a moment of pure freedom before...

WHAM!

Orion landed hard on the ground, rolling a bit. Dazed, he looked around, noticing the entrance of a rabbit hole. A laugh boomed from his chest, deep and pure. He couldn't believe he'd tripped over a rabbit hole. He rolled onto his belly and crawled over to the hole. Gently, he moved the dirt blocking the entrance before apoligizing to the rabbits inside. "I'm sorry, my friends. I did not mean to destroy your door. I ask your forgiveness."

He fell back onto his back in another fit of laughter. Orion, the graceful hunter who had never fallen from the treetops, trips and falls in the open plains over a rabbit hole. It would definitely be a story he would tell the children back at the camp.

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[Taske]

The Dragon soured high in the sky, letting his wings and Dragon Flight carry him with the wind. He was patrolling, making sure all the bordering villages complied with his laws, When he got to the Village that supplied him with some of his straw and other goods he desired. In return they got to hunt, but only in a time frame, and spring was not in that time. And the dragon saw two figures making there way into the forest. He was not sure if they where hunters or not, he was far to high in the sky to see, but that was beside the point, in the deal it stated that they would stay away form his land when it was not there hunting season.

Smoke puffed form his nostrils, he was not in the least bit happy about the figures, not one bit. He dived, his large brown body eating up altitude quickly to the ground. With a small roar he landed, the ground shifting under his bulk. Flames seemed to lick at his hide, as his anger flared.

Kaori, the mighty Dragon Lord looked the two figures over, smoke lifting from his nose in a solid stream. His red eyes Blazed with his anger as she watched the male laugh subside. He looked the female over, and she was indeed garbed in the village clothing if the male was not. His blazing eyes narrowed, knowing full well that the fear of the female would win over them soon, Dragons where not always fluffy, and he was not always forgiving.

Kaori had a reputation, he was known to kill on sight,holding his rules with a stern claw, he would only let a few walk, and the only reason he had not killed first and asked questions later was for the sole reason that he had a deal with that village, a deal that The dragon held close, if he gave the village any reason to break there deal he would have to wait a few generations before a new one could come into play, and frankly that took to long for him, so if he could avoid it, he would.

"State you business Villagers."

[hobbit]

Strength was never something River had been able to boast about, given her size and build. She was clearly not meant to be the wrestling type, running around holding people in arm locks that couldn’t be broken for months. Her small stature and lean build allowed for her to be speedy, though, and the human grinned as Orion set off. At first, he merely moved at a brisk walk, which was her usual pace; anything slower greatly annoyed River, unless she was tired. When he jogged, she jogged; when he ran, she ran. She was always a few steps behind him, not wanting to overtake him and fall. That wouldn’t be a very nice, or brave, way to die.

For a moment, the female allowed her eyes to travel away from her guide. As she did so, a sound similar to a person falling on the ground for cover caught her attention. River halted, her brown eyes traveling back to Orion, and one brow arched in surprise, though there were hints of laughter on her face, she did not let it out…yet. When Orion fell onto the ground in a laughing fit, River could not help but join in, yet her laughter was short lived. She suddenly became aware of something coming towards them; as if her sixth sense had screamed at her. Confused, River looked around, before directing her gaze toward the sky.

Her laughter quickly ended and her hand flew to her sword, though she knew it would do little good against the creature flying towards them. There were not many dragons that roamed the earth, and she knew of no other dragons within this region, aside from the one she had heard about: Kaori. The legends did not make her fear him. She looked at him as she would look at a king; she understood the power he held, but she was no slave, and her gender did not mean she would bow down out of fright. The dragon’s question seemed to demand sarcasm on her part, but River had never wanted to die by fire, so she settled for a reasonable reply: “Well, for one, I don’t actually live in any village anymore. So, if we’re being technical, I guess I’m a nomad…and, now, to answer your question. I was following that fool,” she pointed at Orion, “So talk to him.”

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

Orion heard the beating of mighty wings and his laughter died. Still lying on the ground, he tipped his head back to see Kaori coming in for a landing. He stood and dusted himself off as River answered the dragon's question. He shot her an indignant look when she called him a fool, but then turned his full attention to Kaori.

Drawing his sword, he placed the point upon the ground and went down on one knee. He bowed his head in respect, the sword in front of him like a cross. "Greetings, Lord Kaori." He lifted his head to look the dragon in the eye. "We mean you no harm; we were just passing through. I, Orion, am a member of the Grellon whom you give permission to reside in your mountains. As a follower of Black Star, I ask that you grant us passage to the Grellon hideout, so I may rejoin my people and introduce this wanderer to our leader."

He remained on one knee, his hands resting upon the hilt of his sword, Aithne. Orion might be a trouble-making rogue, but he knew respect. He knew Kaori was dangerous, but he knew that the dragon would not cause them harm if they did not anger him. Showing the dragon lord the deepest respect was unlikely to cause trouble. He only hoped River wouldn't do anything stupid.

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[Taske]

Kaori watched as the female seemed to puff up at him, daring his authority of these mountains. He huffed at her, his steaming breath covering her face. Her sarcasms seemed to stretch on, trying his patience... And Kaori was famous for his short temper. But before He could even think about roasting that impudent mouth the male, Orion, dropped to his knee giving the Lord Dragon just the respect he deserved.

The earthen dragon lightened his mood, turned his large head to Orion, ignoring the female, hoping that he would not have to roast another human this week, The last ones smell only just came off his scales.

He looked him over, Seeming to remember someone in the Grellon that had his fiery hair. He pondered it, he did seem to look and act to him like many Grellon. Kaori puffed more smoke from his nostrils, and looked back at them and then sighed. "So your part of my human flock, well, I guess that fine...."

But then again, he eyed the nomad, anger again filling his mind, and smoke falling from his nose again. "On other thoughts, I should go with you two, so that, people that I do not know, does not give me a reason to burn another human." He turned, folding his great wings upon his back. He knew they would fallow, and besides if they did not, he would have to personally drop them into the Grellon, by drop he means really drop them... "So tell me is that...." He looked back at the duo, shes eyes questioning. "Joining the Grellons? I would hope so or Black Star would have mine and your both hides..." The Dragon huffed smoke, his large claws scrapping the dirt under foot. Oh he wishes that Black Star would never find out his involvement in this, if she does not know about the human female...

[hobbit]

Watching the flaming haired man (haha, get it? Orion had red hair…flames…dragons breathed…oh, nevermind) drop down onto one knee had made River consider doing the same, for just a moment. She decided, however, that this dragon had no reason to be all pissy and uptight. He was a fucking dragon. He could breathe fire and fly- no one could be understandably pissy when they could do that now could they? The dragon’s steam on her face, however, made River reconsider her position; oh, no, she wasn’t about to bow down. She had enough trouble doing that when her mother was smacking her about the head. No, she was just reconsidering being nice. Luckily, primarily for her, the dragon turned his attention to Orion. She looked over at the man for a moment before returning her gaze to Kaori.

It seemed that this dragon was more temperamental than a hag on her last rug, for when he looked at her once more, smoke swirled out of his nostrils. A sigh escaped the young woman as he spoke and she raised her shoulders in a shrug, “Follow us if you’d like. I don’t think you’d listen if I told you not to, anyway. In fact, I am 99% sure that Orion would be carrying my ashes to the Grellon if I told you not to,” she mused. Her lack of respect for authority did not mean she was a dumb woman. When Kaori spoke once more, River seemed to inflate like an irritated feline. Her eyes narrowed and her lips turned down in a frown, “I have a name, you know. It’s River. And you’re free to use it- I don’t have a copyright on it or anything. You won’t get fined,” she added, crossing her arms over her chest and waiting for the dragon’s verdict.

While she waited, River began to imagine how nice the day had been going. Someone always had to ruin her day. This time, that someone was an overgrown lizard.

Brilliant.

[AmberEyedWolf]

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

Orion stood and slowly sheathed Aithne. He followed the dragon, jogging a little to keep up. Glancing back at River, he walked beside Kaori. "Perhaps. I'm not sure yet. I haven't asked. Hey, River! Are you planning on joining the Grellon?" He looked back at River, his blue eyes gleaming. "Oh, and River, if Lord Kaori here did decide to fry you, why would I take your ashes? Ashes aren't useful to us, people are. Besides, that'd be pretty messy." His laughter echoed through the valley as he joked.

Turning back to watch where he was going, Orion barely missed tripping over a jutting rock. Turning his head to look at it, he stumbled over another similar rock. Annoyed, he burst out, "What the hell?!? I can run across a forest through the treetops and never once lose my balance, but on solid ground I can't even walk? That's just not right!" Orion crossed his arms over his chest, pouting like a small child.

The rogue focused now on where he walked, a tough challenge given his personality and somewhat lack of attention span. He sighed, hoping to get to the trees soon, where he knew there was no risk of him tripping and falling.

{Orion}

:: The hunter, the son of fire ::

[Taske]

The Large Dragon stopped mid step and turned his head, fixing on large red eye on the female. They where sharp, demanding, challenging. He did not just hear her utter a retort to him, she did not just tell him what was what. He was the Dragon Lord, he was the KING, no one told the human royalty what was what! She could cower to her over lord, but yet she has the gull to tell him, a DRAGON, a beast that was far more intelligent and powerful then her kind. She dare to talk back to him!?

He puffed smoke at her, fire licking his hide, drifting farther from him, he was not a patient dragon, and he was far from forgiving. Only a few could talk to him like this and even the select few had to watch what they said, and she seemed to be trying him, challenging him, testing, to see just how far she could go before he snapped. And guess what, she just stepped over the line. The dragon roared, his saliva spilling from his mouth, his eyes fixed on the female, River. "Insolent woman, you have been trying my patience since I arrived! Have you forgot who owns this land, have you forgotten who rules over ALL Dragons, we are not merely beasts, we are power, mighty beasts, even more ancient then your kind, I have lived and seen you evolve from primal monkeys that wore animal skins, I have see your kind bow legged, and you have the nerve to mouth of to me!?I am old, yes, but I am more powerful then any of my kind."

His eyes narrowed, the red in his eyes a blaze of anger, no one had ever dared to push him to this extent, no one was dumb enough to, and here was this female telling him what was what! "This will be your last warning, you are lucky to have gotten it, if it where just you and not one of my flock I would have burned you now and not even have to deal with it!" He Growled at her, ignoring Orion as his body hit dirt again. His mind was fully on her, and his anger, he had no room for both pleasantries and the blazing fury.

The dragon turned to the fiery male, his own blazing eyes sharp. "I would suggest you talk to Black Star before showing her to the camp, she could be a spy for all you know..." With that the dragon had enough, he jumped into the air, his massive body eating up the altitude. But he did not leave them, he glided on the winds near, watching, his sharp eyes just waiting for River to misstep.