dear_mun | (no subject)

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I do not wish to go. The idea is strange to me, though I have traveled at your side for years. You have given me my freedom until I returned to you willingly. Why must that change? Why must your interest take me to a world that I cannot escape?

Read of me. Watch me. I do not mind, but do not imprison me! Have you forgotten what became of the last one who sought to cage me?

Have you forgotten her terrible death?

You cannot own me; I belong to the forest.

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[Liora can certainly sympathize, as she's been caged before, too.]

Why would anyone want to imprison you?

(Very little can be worse than being enclosed in cold, hissing, evilly whispering iron.)

I would be a prize to them or...an old white mare. (Those last words are said with the utmost disdain.) Men cannot see me for what I am.

[There's that "men" word again. Liora's just getting acquainted with that race...]

A prize...?

[Maybe that was why the Beastclans had her captured instead of killed?]

I...don't mean to be rude, but...what are you, exactly?

Men have hunted my kind since they first laid eyes on us. (And it is rare for one to be captured. Usually a unicorn allows itself to be captured only by the pure of heart.)

It was once a symbol of purity and prestige to keep a unicorn's company.

(She tilts her head, her fine, fluffy mane blowing in the wind.)

I am a unicorn. Surely you can see?

That's terrible... We dragons have been at war with the Beastclans ever since they emerged. They sought to kill us, but for some reason they had me captured...

[She can certainly see the elegance and purity in this creature.]

Of course, I can see you, but I've never seen a creature like you before...

(She blinks slowly, taking her time with this little dragon.)

I have slain your kind before, but you -

I would not harm. You are beautiful.

(So golden and bright.)

I fear you will not see another like me.

[She's not at all surprised to hear that this unicorn has slain her kind before, since any non-dragon has tried to, so she doesn't take offense.]

I appreciate it. We dragons come in all shapes and sizes. Some are ferocious, but they're not all bad.

[She frowns at the last statement.]

Are you really the last of your kind? I can't imagine how lonely that must be...

[Liora herself feels lonely enough just being cut off from them like this, despite knowing that her clan is alive.]

...Do you have a name? I'm Liora.

The ferocious ones - those that breathe fire and destroy were the ones I killed. (With her horn straight in their heart.) You are not like them.

(Her ears flick forward and her expression falls.)

I had never felt loneliness until I journeyed to find them. Now I do.

(She sighs and the wind around her stirs the grass and the trees.)

They called me Amalthea when I was human.

Fire dragons? And only if they destroy?

[Because one of her best friends is a Fire dragon, but he doesn't go destroying things willy nilly.]

I just hope that dragonkind will be able to live peacefully with other races one day, but many seem to find that impossible...

[Liora can sense the unicorn's power as her sigh causes the grass and trees to stir. The unicorn is something like what she imagines the Fae of Light would be like, elegant and serene.]

Amalthea? I like that...

I do not harm those who cause no mischief. (Mischief meaning destruction; not pranks. She can tell the difference.)

I would not mind their presence if they could be peaceful. (The safety of her forest and her friends means everything to her.)

Thank you. Schmendrick gave me the name to hide my identity from a wicked King.

[Liora looks visibly relieved. Although the unicorn didn't look like she enjoyed hurting creatures, the little dragon just couldn't be too careful.]

I'm glad. One of my best friends, Snowy...contrary to his name, he's actually a Fire dragon. He's a good dragon, and I rely on him a lot to protect me.

...A wicked king? Was he one that wanted to keep you as a prize?

He is safe from me. (She leans her head down to give Liora a little sniff.) He wished to possess all of my people. He was a greedy, sick old man.

[Normally Liora would shrink back when someone moved close, but she felt the unicorn's serenity washing over her.]

That is awful. I just don't understand what they all hope to gain by keeping living creatures...

Does he still have the others of your kind? Or are they really gone?

(There is no instinct to harm this child in any part of her body. Eventually, she lays down, tucking her long legs under her.)

They think it elevates them over their peers. In the King's case, possessing my people brought him happiness. They reminded him of his youth.

(She lays her head down on the grass, eyes like jewels.)

I freed them and the King was killed when his castle crumbled around him.

Edited 2016-10-14 02:59 (UTC)

I see...

[She watches the unicorn lay in the grass in front of her. It was a strange feeling to actually look down at her, when most creatures were far taller than she was.]

I'm glad that you and your people are free.

I am not like them any longer. (Unicorns are not meant to understand human emotions - regret in particular - but she does.) They are free and I am forever changed.

[Her frills sink sadly at the statement.]

...What do you mean? Does it have to do with you being..."human"?

[She still doesn't know much about humans, only recently encountering them for the first time in Genessia.]

In part. (She raises her head.) I have felt emotions that no Unicorn has before. I cannot be who I once was, but perhaps that isn't...bad.

...So that is why you feel loneliness that you have never felt before? I think I understand what you mean...

Emotions are indeed a good thing to have, both the good and the bad. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. To feel nothing at all...that would be a tragedy on its own.

I watched the world pass me by in my forest. I did not feel much of anything and that was...natural. Now I feel too much and I do not know what to do with it.

Well...most of us would be driven by our emotions...and that can be a good or bad thing, depending on what you do and what you feel.

For instance, I happen to be on a journey of my own. I have...many fears that I need to overcome...

How can you determine what is right; what is natural? (Her features gentle.) You are very brave. Any journey will change you; I hope you are prepared for it.

Well...ultimately, you decide in your heart what is right for you. Unfortunately, the definition of what's right or wrong may differ between people...and that's what breeds the most conflict.

When you said you've slain the dragons that have destroyed...did it feel right? Or did it feel natural?

[She looks down, reflecting on her journey thus far.]

I...cannot say if I am truly prepared. I was to search for the Fae of Light, and train myself in battle with Cane and Snowy. But I hadn't expected to meet Erebus...a dragon of pure darkness. Meeting him...has complicated things...

[Gansey is both pure of noble heart and someone who is always willing to believe anything fantastic... So it's with an open mind that he stares a moment, in awe.]

Excuse me, but . . . Where are they planning to send you?

(Can he see - ? She dances in place.)

A land of magic, no doubt. The name matters not to me.

[She's so happy... He can't help but smile]

Whatever the place, you'll still belong to the forest. A friend of mine, he protects one himself . . . A magical place. He could always feel it, wherever he went. I would think it would be a comfort.

(So few can see her! The Unicorn arches her neck proudly, tail flicking back and forth behind her.)

I can feel it in this form. I fear she will put me in another.

You are not owning. You are not for anything man's mind can tell, but least of all owning.

(Even now, her breath catches at the sight of him; at the sound of his voice. She wishes to approach him, but she is unsure.)

You understand me, my Prince. I could never express my appreciation.

But you would try. And I thank you that, though it's unneeded.

If evil waits on you, my lady, I would put myself between you: my sword, my body, my meagre defences.

No. (She cannot remain stern at him; not fully.) I will not see you perish for a second time. Not for my sake.

(Not for the sake of one who cannot give him all he deserves.)

You could turn your eye away. It would be a simple thing, among those of difficulty.

That doesn't change it! (And she is in motion, moving to him and nudging her muzzle against his cheek.) I will protect you.

You've done enough. [ There, there, hand soft when it cradles her muzzle against him. There, there. ] You've done enough already.

But I should want to be a hero. And a hero can never do enough of his duty.

Do you not understand? You are already a hero. (Her eyes close at the touch and she exhales sweetly against his palm.) It is enough I have your company - briefly or otherwise.

That isn't heroic. That's only to be alive.

Charging into danger does not make you more or less heroic. Should danger come, I know you will make the right decision.

Your trust honours me.

I would give you more if I were able.

And I would ask for less, if I were able.

[She laughs, helpless against his honesty. The sound is like music and the very grass around her stirs in answer.]

You may ask, but I would choose to give you more.

We seem to be at a happy impasse. Thank you.

I am content with this impasse. I do not regret knowing you.

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