RP: Human Observation

Part of the The Dawn of a New Era Arc

Brynhild stir crazy from being both a red dragon and in Scandal's home, persuades Scandal to show her Denubyrg so they could assess how easy it would be to take on humanity. By observing them. Neferet joins them at the byrg and meets Scandal first time with much distaste. Conclusion: Capture some Dinosaurs for Brynhild to examine.

Brynhild had grown rather impatient sitting on her keister waiting for Dyraxdiin to arrive. The hot blooded red dragon, still disguised as a human female, couldn’t handle just lounging around Scandals dwelling. Though the place had been rather large and had everything one could possibly need, but then again, it couldn’t give you the thrill of adventure. So early this morning she wrote a letter and whisked it away to Neferet, the white dragon, offering her yet another meal of mortal flesh; enticing her to meet with the half-blood and herself in Venturil - just outside of a town named Denubyrg. Obviously she would drag Scandal with her, despite any protests he might offer up. She needed a tour guide and someone to explain the mundane and trivial questions she would most likely have. Once more, she finds her horse and saddles him for another lengthy ride, where she heads due west towards a city that was nearby. “So tell me about this settlement?” She gives a quizzical glance to Scandal, whom she assumed journeyed with her and kept pace. It wouldn’t be long before Neferet would appear and she could introduce them. As matter of factly, she even adds as much. “I sent a missive this morning asking for someone to join us. She should be arriving here shortly.” As for what Neferet is, well, that would be left up for her to reveal.

Scandal had joined Brynhild on this excursion will some fuss, but most of it faked, he wouldn't admit but part of his red heritage did make him easily stir-crazy. He just had learned how to keep it under wraps. He walked beside easily keeping pace with horse, as he was around 20' tall walking in the form of an anthropomorphic dragon, he wore a pair of dark brown leather pants and a sleeveless shirt, of dark green color. "The settlement of Denubyrg is a well fortified settlement, as is mostly everything in venturil, the land here has many dangerous including large non dragon, but dragon like beast, whom the locals refer to has ...saurs with many prefixes, though, despite this the people here who are on guard would at least in what i have learned from most humans, is simply to live their lives without much interference within the their individual day to day events."

Neferet rarely, if ever, took direction from another. However, she had sworn her fealty to Brynhild, so as soon as the Red’s letter arrived, she had rounded up a few belongings and took to the sky. Exiting Frostmaw was no easy feat, with the turbulent winds, never ending snow squalls, and the bitter cold, though it didn’t seem to bother Neferet in the slightest. She inhaled the brisk air, enjoyed the wind caressing her glossy wings, and kept her piercing blue gaze on her destination. Soaring over the Xalious mountain range, she felt freer than she had in quite some time, and she doesn’t even seem to mind the people on the ground that point in admiration. She was beautiful to gaze upon in her dragon form, as she had glistening white scales, with an iridescent shine as the sun hit them. The White swoops down in Craughmoyle, to pick up some of her cherry scented smokes, before making the rest of the journey to Venturil. Appearing before Bryn and Scandal in her human form, she wears mithril armor over simple clothing, and she holds an ancient ice staff in her grasp. Pale cheeks hold a tint of pink in them, from the wind, and she stalks forward with a purpose in her step. Bryn had called, and she had come. Scandal is given a brief once over, a look of disgust in her cornflower hues, before she trials her gaze to the pretty blonde. “Brynhild. I received your letter, and that delicious courier.”

Brynhild eyes Scandal and his information curiously. Saurs? She wonders what exactly he means but such a statement. As for the settlement just trying to live their day-by-day lives, she’s unsure of such things and eyes its fortified walls from a distance. It seemed that they had built some kind of defenses around their town. Could it be for these saurs he previously mentioned. When Neferet arrives, the alabaster haired, white dragon in disguise, she nods. “I chose a rather plump courier just for you. The fat adds a bit of flavor, so I’m told.” She looks to Scandal after catching Neferet’s glance, and smiles. “This is Neferet. She can be rather difficult, but I’m sure you two will get along just fine.” She continues her march towards Denubyrg to observe. “Neferet what do you make of their defenses? Scandal,” She chimes him after any greeting is done between the two strangers. “Are they adept fighters?” Brynhild is getting to the meat of her questions now.

Scandal eyes neferet briefly without much interest. Her mention of tasty courier, made him the back creases of his jaw peel back a bit exposing his teeth, but he closed his mouth immediately. He didn't like eating people, at least not in the way most dragons did. "Charmed," He said with no real intention in his voice. he crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the village, "its best never to underestimate humans, especially those in groups and cities, they have a tenacity that few other races possess, and even when you think you have broken them, they will eventually rise and conquer you. Leadership is key in human societies, no leader, and no real threat emerges."

Neferet isn’t in the mood for playing nice with the half-breed, so she chooses to flat out ignore him as she focuses her attention on Brynhild. The corner of her mouth lifts in a wicked half-smile, as she remembers the look of horror etched into the fat hobbits features, and the taste of his flesh as he swam down her throat. “Yes. The flavor was exquisite. You spoil me, Cherry.” Tilting her head to the side, she follows their line of view, and takes in the city of Denubyrg, somewhat impressed that the lowlife residents managed to put up a somewhat decent line of defense. Falling into step with Bryn, the trio marches closer to get a better look at what they’re up again. The White walks as though she’s a predator, about to pounce on any that cross her path, her gaze ever calculating, and she chews on the inside of her cheek, as if deep in thought. “Their defenses are decent, but against us? They don’t stand a chance. Perhaps they could keep out other humans, maybe the occasional battering ram apparatus. It’s nothing we can’t handle.” A careless shrug is given, as she revels in causing destruction. To Scandal, she finally acknowledges the abomination, and she rolls her eyes, “Perhaps you are forgetting –what- you are, Half-Breed. You’re a dragon, are you not? It’s best that you don’t forget that humans are lesser beings. We have the brawn and brains, whereas they are fragile insects that dare lay claim to things they don’t withstand the power to defend. I believe you overestimate mortals, and that will be –your- downfall if you don’t wise up fast.” She speaks harshly, without holding back the intent behind her words. She could care less if the mongrel got himself killed. To Bryn, she nudges the woman in the side, as if to say ‘get a load of this man’ before she returns her attention to Denubyrg.

Brynhild instantly responds to Scandal, “How long have they been leaderless?” Do they not have a King they answer too? Do they not have a mayor or person of power which governs them for their own safety? The way these humans chose to live is beyond her. She might not ever understand such things, but still she presses further towards her goal of entering the city. “No funny business today Neferet. Less of course we break our guises for nothing.” She looks towards Scandal and gives him a brief smile once more. Is he content staying in that massive form amidst all of the people gathered here? The gates were getting awfully close, so if he intended to shrink his size now would be the time to do so. As for the argument that looks to be brewing up between the two Brynhild breaks it with her own words. “You’re both right, and wrong.” She climbs down from her horse and begins to walk through the gates with them both in tow. “You see, I’ve lived my entire life fighting the mortals. I understand them better than you might think. Not only do we always look down upon them Neferet, we also do underestimate them. I’ve seen many a dragon caught in the snares of a well plied trap and brought to their deaths. Their scales, teeth and claws harvested to produce better arms and armor. Scandal is correct that they can be relentless. Where he does find fault is in the reasonings behind mortals. They might indeed rally ‘round a cause, it’s true. But what if that cause is a lie? They can be lied too. Can be easily convinced that this path is greater than the other. They might be tenacious as you say Scandal, but they are also easily controlled.” Her words come to an abrupt stop where she finds a spot to tie off her horse. In the background a fight can be heard, along with the jeering of mortals wagering bets over the outcome. It seems that a tournament of sorts is starting. Would they be interested in such things? Meanwhile, its day to day life for the others. Carts of goods roll by, idle chatter and gossip all around them.

Scandal had no reason to hide he was well known, the guard on the tower offering a nod of the head, and a little salute of respect. In exchange he offered a similar such, only shrinking a bit to try to better enter the city. He had no worry and unlike other dragons these days, he had zero problem with being himself as himself. "You may hide if you wish you too, but I am known here, and do not need to hide." He listened to Brynhild "leaderless at least here in venturil for some time, there were kings, and vampire king even once, but everything village, here is mostly on its own surviving under what little remains of the former governing system." He listened to Neferets criticism, mean as it was, he was used to it a certain foxkin having made him hardier against such insults. "An overestimation is never unrewarded, for if they are truly not as powerful as you thought, you easily crush them, an underestimation is sign of arrogance and it almost always ends in the arrogant ones destruction." He eyes them both as he enters, "I admit, you are correct in the assessment Bryn, I just play the cautious hand, it comes with with the black breed to be overly observant, and draw conclusions without always managing the information correctly."

Neferet scowls as she’s told to behave herself, though she had just eaten an overweight messenger, so she wasn’t all that hungry. None of the villagers would die on this day, at least not by her own tooth and nail. The gates are nearing and seeing that Bryn speaks of the importance of blending in, she lifts her hands to smooth down any unruly locks of hair. Eyeing Scandal from the side, she snorts derisively and shakes her head. He often wandered about looking like that, and just showing his true nature to all that ogled his form? It’s not her business if he gets slaughtered and his scales are used for a suit of armor. The discussion about humans is taken in stride, though she offers up no comment. They didn’t know of Neferet’s background. Nor would they ever hear her tale, not if she could help it. She struggles to keep her mouth shut when Scandal opens his and speaks about how the blacks are observant and cautious. Did he know an entirely different breed of Black Dragons? She was a White, and both were of an evil nature, that much she knew. This half-breed was something else, entirely! The woman can’t fathom why Bryn wishes to associate with his kind, or why she’s singling out Venturil above all the others areas. It wasn’t her place to ask questions, she was merely here as backup, and to provide any assistance that she could. As they pass into the city, she buys a crisp apple from a passing peddler, even paying him the correct coin. She flashes a smirk to the other two, showing that she could place nice, if it was necessary.

Brynhild convincingly meanders on over to where the fight is taking place - curious to see just what is going on. She’s greeted by two rather large humans duking it out for the spoils of war, and their own enjoyment. The Kuronii of Venturil were known to be fierce warriors and this much she’s happily viewing. Perhaps that did have something in common. Brynhilds previous assessment is only one from a long life of combat against them; watching mortals move from one ruling tyrant to another without second thought. Without even questioning such things. She’s even sure that somewhere in the realm, humans and mortals alike, suffered under the rule of evil and didn’t even realize it. She has yet to find such a place, but she is certain it exists. A nod is given to Scandals response. The two, Scandal and Neferet needed to coexist, and get along if we were all going to accomplish this mission. “Neferet,” she turns her gaze to her. “I’m curious about these ‘Saurs’ Scandal spoke of. Do you know anything about them? If not, would you mind gathering a few?” Neferet could even eat a few of them if she liked. By saurs, she means the dang dinosaurs of Venturil. Giant meat eating reptiles. “And I forgot to mention. Someone from the empire still lives. A gray dragon I personally know, and Scandal has arranged a meeting for me, here in Venturil. While we are here, it’s good to assess the world. Any tactician of combat will tell you that knowledge is key.”

Scandal had only ventured so far when a human waved him down. "Hey could I get your help, we need a hill moved, and you were so much help last time." scandal shook his head. "Help them once, and they will always ask for help again." Turning back to man, "sure." he looked at brynhild, "Keep an eye on me if you want a surprise." He didn't eye neferet, nor did he care about what he was going to do, people were used to it, and nobody had guts these days to argue with him on it. Stepping out of the town a good ways using his wings to carry him some distance relatively fast. A quick transformation brings forth the immense dragon into view, miles long, miles wide, miles tall, with wings that cast immense shadows over the valley. What people continue about their lives without much notice or plenty but no screams, they must really be used to him. "Alright, which hill?" The man points, and taking his massive clawed hand he tears the hill from its foundation and with another claw sifts the rocks and dirt and inhales the dust preventing it from entering the town, causing a gust of wind. Briefly. Then placing the hill elsewhere some distance away, he shrinks and moved back into the town finding bryn and nefferet. "I am three million years old give me a break."

Neferet /bites noisily into her apple, the juice dripping onto her chin, which she swats away with her sleeve. Several bystanders eye the trio as they walk the streets, as though they didn’t quite belong, though none are foolish enough to question their intentions. The city is filled with combatants it seems, and they enjoy it, wholeheartedly. This was a place that Neferet could easily fit in, she thinks, even going as far as giving a smile the man judging the fight. Smiles were rare for the White to dish out, but she readily grins at any that catch her gaze, her plump lips arching upwards. Brynhild is continuing to assess the area, and Nef tries to see things through her eyes, admitting to herself that a takeover was definitely possible. These humans enjoyed the thrill of a good fight, perhaps a war, and they just may be seeking a leader. Perhaps Scandal was right? Though she doubts these savages are the type to bend a knee to a King or Queen. She stops, taking another bite of her apple, and she does a double take at Bryn’s orders. “Wh-What?! Do I look like some type of exotic animal wrangler!?” What was the point of gathering dinosaurs? “What do you intend to do with them? Where shall I hold them?” Neferet required details for such a venture, one in which she was entirely sure made any sense. The two women converse, as Scandal shows off his bravado with the villagers, and destroys a hill. His kindness is viewed as weakness in her eyes, though she keeps her mouth shut about such matters. Another bite is taken from her apple, before she tosses the core into a pen of pigs, where she watches in delight as they all snort wildly and bicker over who will win the remains.

Brynhild further listens to the roar of the crowd, to Scandal and Neferet. Their relationship would most likely be strained. Difficult to deal with in the long span of things. Whereas Brynhild needed them both, and at some point they might need to find them common ground. Get Neferet over her watered down blood views, which even Brynhild had difficulties with. Though she isn’t letting it rule her actions and words, preferring to instead let Scandals deeds prove his worthiness. When he takes off to help a random civilian, she says nothing, and instead lets him do his thing. It’s not that she isn’t interested, just other thoughts preoccupied her mind. He was known here and she was not. This whole place is interesting. When Scandal returns, she nods to him once and answers Neferet. “You don’t need to bring them to me alive. I just am curious if they could be turned into war beasts. Thats all. Besides, I know you like to cause a little panic. Maybe a few humans will see your form sweeping through the plains and eating ferocious ‘Saurs’.” Could you imagine the tale that would spin off of such deeds. “Thanks for joining me here, you two.” But she remembers there’s one other thing which she must do. She steps out into the street where there is plenty of room. In but an instant red scaled wings burst from her back reminiscent of her real draconian ones, and with a mighty beat of those powerful appendages, does she take off into the air without further word. The two left to their own devices.

Scandal watched brynhilde take to the sky, which did startle some people. He glanced back Neferet, a dragon whom he did not like but did not intend to let it get the best of him. "She want saurs right?" "Okay, I can get those, and bring them, and you can take the credit for capturing them, she'll think more highly of you then, in the meantime, I would like to get home." He turned stopping for a second to see a small boy homeless on the street, he eyed neferet, and grabbed the boy, lifting to him to his mouth and swallowing, Causing a mild stir of panic, and then which settled to nothing. As he left. Later he would expel the boy in another town, to where he knew someone who was looking for a son to replace the one who died, and that would make amends for that.

Neferet gives a slight nod to Brynhild, excited to be put to use. Hopefully, some good would come of it. Though as the Red takes to the sky, she is left with Scandal, the half-breed. A sigh escapes her, at the majestic beauty that soars above. To Scandal she shakes her head, “No need…” A brief pause ensues, “We can do it together, I suppose. Make it a contest and see who can catch more?” It could be fun, and she had a competitive nature. Plus, Bryn would think they were working well together. She doesn’t wait for a response, as she turns on her heel and prepares to leave Denubyrg, though she smirks as the child is pulled into the dragon’s mouth. Perhaps he had a little bad in him after all?