Welcome to Gaia! ::

}~{I was wondering, if, after this RP, you would be willing to do a much longer one, based off of actual plottage I have? I started the idea with Blade_Kuroda, but I haven't seen him in a while...and I really need to get this plottage thing out of the way, before I'll be able to get Zephy a mate, or a familiar, or anything. If you're too busy or something, that's quite alrigh too mrgreen }~{

Zephyiote turned sharply, when she was alerted to Besnik's change in direction. They hadn't lost the rabbit yet, thanks to the mimicgryph. They seemed to be quite handy companions. They were so close! Zephyiote swore she saw a flash of silver a moment ago! Suddenly, she was confronted with the thing, as Besnik had driven it around. She lunged forward, in one of her rare moments devoid of thought, relying on instinct, which proved not too useful in this case. With a crunch! she felt the rabbit snap in her jaws, and her eyes widened in horror at what she'd just done. She'd just smooshed it! Now she would never be able to study it!

She dropped the limp body on the ground, but to her suprise, the rabbit was indeed dead, crushed, but it lay in tact. It's metalic armor withstood even the crushing blow of her fangs. That was remarkable! She looked forward to dissecting it back at her home. Being the ever watchful craftsman of a Pan'Lun, she realized the potential for something made out of the hide of this creature.

She looked back at Florica with a huge smile plastered on her face. "Thank you Florica, thank you Besnik. Your help was most appreciated," she said with utmost honesty. It would have been rather difficult to catch the thing by herself, and most likely would have taken hours, rather than the mere fifteen minutes or so they'd spent chasing it.

Zephyiote hummed a little in pleasure, stretching her wings as much as she could in the confined space. As much as she wanted to examine this specimen, it would be rude to just leave Florica. She pondered something, but didn't want to seem to friendly, or eager, or whatnot. "I do not suppose you would like to come visit me at my house sometime, would you? Your company is some of the most pleasant I have ever encountered." There was a reason it was her 'house', and not a 'home'. Because while she was granted things, belongings, a place to stay, she wasn't really welcome in the general society. In her mind, her home was where she was, where she bed for the night. Never the same as the day before.

}~{Actually, we might even be able continue it right off of this RP, after they go to Zephy's house and whatnot >.< }~{

Zephyiote stood up, plucking the rabbit off the ground and smiling again at Florica. "If we start now, we might be able to make it there a little before Nightfall." Zephyiote glanced at Besnik, then back to Florica. "I would be willing to carry you, Besnik, if you got tired." Zephyiote didn't really expect him to ever agree, seeing as it might be considered undignified, but she realized such a flight might be long for someone of his stature, and she didn't want to put too much strain on him. Particularly after how hard he's worked during the recent minutes. If need be, they could take rest breaks. Not that it mattered when she got home. It wasn't like anyone ever expected her, or was sad when she was gone.

Zephyiote didn't have much worry about being attacked. If her size wasn't enough of an intimidation, her magic could be intimidating in its own right. And a mad Zephyiote was quite a nasty thing to behold. Her claws and fangs weren't just for show. Though she hadn't had cause to wield them against other painter in quite a while.

She stretched her wings experimentally, and found the trees were a little too dense here for take-off. She shook her head disappointed, though not much. It wasn't a very big deal. "We can rest for a few moments first. I myself am a little bit worn from that little bit of physical exertion."

}~{Whoa, I just noticed the little gold rings on Florica's wings. Florica's quite gorgeous heart }~{

Zephyiote lay down as well, folding her arms, and resting her head on tops. Wings outstretched, smothering all the free ground space like a tattered crimson blankets. Her legs stretched out behind her. She was quite, and her breathing slowed, but her eyes remained open. Like whales and dolphins, Zephyiote entered a sort of 'half sleep' where she could still rest, but if something moved around her, or warranted attention, she would wake instantly. Those clear eyelids also served to keep her eyes from drying out from being open.

It was at least an hour before Zephyiote stirred again, raising her head, and yawning, taking note of the sun's position in the sky. "Hm, I probably should not have slept so long." She stood and shook herself, in the manner of a dog, and stretched. Forelegs extending ahead of her, as her back curved downward, her posterior and tail still up high. She groaned with pleasure, and then stood up straight again. "I suppose that was sufficient rest..."she did a quick run through grooming of her tail fluff. "Are you ready?"

}~{I agree, there ARE a lot of girl painters. It probably doesn't help that most of the people who hang out at Sandpaints are girls themselves xd Oh well. I'm hoping that when Zephy eventually has kids, I might be able to get a male heart }~{

Zephyiote waited for the beige pair to stretch and ready themselves as she had, before she started off back to the river, which was hardly difficult. Following her previously blazed path recquired only looking for torn up foliage and other such things. She hadn't exactly been subtle while hunting. That reminded her of Florica's little run in with the tree. "How is your shoulder Florica? I seem to remember you smashing it."

It took only a minute or two before they were back at the river's edge, where the trees thinned enough to allow room for take-off. Zephyiote took a few galloping steps, before jumping up, unfurling expansive wings, which seemed to grip the sky itself, and easily rose up, doing a few spirals, until she was a dot far above, waiting for Florica and Besnik. She sighed and relaxed into the wind, which was providing a nice breeze in the direction they were to travel. Very good. That would help make up for time they lost dozing.

There were very few clouds in the sky, and the world around her seemed an endless expanse of blue. How gorgeous it was up here! So free and unrestrained. No one could touch her here! But of course, there was business to attend to. She would have a pleasure flight later. Right now she needed, well, wanted, to get home. The rabbit was still clutched tight in hand, sparkling in the bright sunlight.

}~{Some of those raffle babies are gorgeous I really really like Carol of the Bells and Silent Night. They're sheer beauty heart }~{

Zephyiote noted from up above the way Florica limped, just a little. She made a mental note to take a rest break later, for Florica's sake. Zephyiote wished a little that she knew something about healing magic. But now was not the time for idle wishing. Besides, Florica didn't seem bothered by it too much.

Zephyiote laughed as well, and did a few barrel rolls, and various other acrobatic maneuvers. This was fun. It was even more fun since she had Florica with her. Zephyiote noted Florica's laugh, and it only made her happier. What a nice friend this girl turned out to be!

Zephyiote finally turned and set a more strict course, angling towards where she knew Crater Lake to lie, and her temple nearby. Still, she wasn't too serious, and did little loops or deviations from the path, dipping up and down, and having fun. That was the beauty of not being on a strict schedule. She could goof off and it wouldn't matter.

"I agree. Nicer weather could not be asked for." Indeed, the breeze gave lift to her wings, and made what have ordinarily been a leisurely pace a rather rapid one. If this kept up, it would cut at least a half hour off of their time, maybe more. They might make it just in time for dinner, even! Zephyiote wasn't terribly hungry, but she mused that she might like a snack. Particularly after a long flight.

"If we hurry, there might be food left!"

}~{I agree. Holiday Nightmare has a lot of potential. But all I can think about when I look at him is 'think of the demonic babies he'd have o_0' xd }~{

Zephyiote was silent for a moment, in awe, before she burst out laughing. Like a peal of rainbow birdsong, it cut through the air, and permeated the air all around. "Zephy, did you say?" Zephyiote had to pause to laugh before she could continue. "You are the only one I have ever met that is brazen enough to call me something like that right to my face. I love it!" Zephyiote shook her head, and mumbled inaudible things to herself. How amusing. Zephy. She rather liked it. But gods above forbid if anyone other than Florica or Besnik call her that.

"I should think maybe two or three hours. One and a half if we hustle." Subconciously, Zephyiote picked up the pace, if just a little. She wanted food, and some of the chefs back at the temple were simply divine when it came to food preparation.

Time seemed to go by fast in this beautiful expanse of seemingly endless space. The scenery below came and went, but the seemingly unalterable blue of the sky remained, perfect as ever. How long before sunset? Zephyiote estimated they would arrive around then.

Zephyiote indeed scented food upon the wind, and it made her mouth water. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the rich aroma. "Yes, we are quite close." Zephyiote was right about the sun setting to. The sky was just beginning to set the sky ablaze in a pastel display of color, when they entered the mist. It was common procedure to cloak Pan'Lun temples in mist. Deter intruders, and whatnot. Zephyiote had no fear of getting lost, but she worried for Florica.

She could make out the hazy shape of the beige painter, but knew that as they progressed farther in, it would be near impossible to see. "Let us land," Zephyiote called out behind her, and set out for a rather steep decline. The ground was slanted 'neath her feet, and she immediately knew their location in their mind. Pan'Lun were magic weavers of the mist and wind sort. And while Zephyiote had no particular affinity for mist, she still had basic abilities, seemingly dictated by her heritage. She could never get lost in the mist. But what of Florica? How could she lead her where she couldn't see. Zephyiote flicked her tail.

"Walk right next to me, understand?" They could simply walk close enough that they were constantly touching. That would have to do. Any other method would be too risky. One might wander for days in this stuff before getting out. Or perish trying.

Zephioyte proceded without much thought, always careful to keep touching Florica in some way, her tail proving most handy. Would it not be so undignified, Zephyiote would have just told Florica to take ahold of her tail fluff in her mouth, and follow her that way. But of course Zephyiote couldn't do that. It would be most silly, wouldn't it? Eerie as it seemed, Zephyiote loved it. It didn't take her long to pass familiar landmarks, and then quite suddenly, they were at the temple. One would almost miss it, if you stood not but three feet away.

Curiously enough, when you stood near the temple and looked around there appeared to be no mist. Only when you took a few steps away did the mist appear to gather again. It was an illusion, sort of. A very well crafted one. This particular Pan'Lun temple, the one Zephyiote resided in, was huge. It sprawled out on the mountain top, a single story, oriental style palace. It had over a hundred rooms, and lights glowed from within many of them. Delectable aromas wafted from within, and Zephyiote hovered outside the entrance for a moment, simply enjoying the air. She smiled at Florica, before opening the door. It slid to the side, true to the oriental style it was crafted in. The walls were decorated with huge and magnificent paintings of nature and Pan'Lun, and a few Chi'Lin. Zephyiote led the way through a few of the hall ways, to the farthest room back, a ways away from any of the others, down a deep flight of stairs. Zephyiote's room was indeed buried underground. It allowed for the temple to be larger, without extending up into the air, and risking discovery if a low flyer were to run into it.

Zephyiote turned around to face Florica, smiling sheepishly. "I apologize, my room is...a bit messy." Zephyiote turned around once more, and slipped inside, leaving the door open for Florica. The front room was Zephyiote's living quarters. There was a silken pile of blankets in one corner; her bed. Bookshelves lined the walls, crammed full of books and encyclopedias. There was a table upon which various books were lying open, and a notebook, with ink and feather pen next to it.

There was yet another table with a chunk of jade in the middle of being carved, and a chest next to it, stocked full of all sorts of valuables gems and materials. In the far back corner were propped up a few black and white paintings, covered by a sheet. Dust was gathered in placed, and the floor was in need of a good scrubbing. Zephyiote stepped aside to let Florica get in and observe. "It is not much, but it is...my house."