Summary:
Tempest is a young Arctic Oceanic Drake from a dying breed that’s been poached into near extinction for their ability to manipulate water. Since being liberated from the New Zealand royal navy’s control, he’s been roaming the seas alone for several years in hopes of seeking out other dragonkin.
Personality:
For the most part, he's a jovial type of being, lazy, and an idiot at times, rarely takes anything seriously.
Abilities:
- Aquamancy -
Tempest possesses an advanced form of water manipulation, being able to create tsunamis, summon hurricanes at will, conjure up storms, whirlpools, or shoot beams of pressurized water at either an enemy or prey. His skills even allow him to influence the water molecules in a person’s blood to a degree. For fast travel across the seas, he can manipulate the surrounding water to propel himself at unimaginable speeds below or above the surface.
- Ice Magic -
Another unique trait his kind carries. This includes being able to cool his surroundings, freeze a selection of water, create hardened ice spikes that can be turned into projectiles, and cause a devastating hailstorm by freezing a small portion of the heavens. A common defense move used by him is creating thick ice walls.
Weather Manipulation - Like the rest of his kin, he can conjure up devastating storms and hurricanes. This allows him to flood entire towns and cities if given enough time. While weather control can be one of his most powerful abilities, it often burns out most of his magic depending on the scale it’s being done on.
Lightning Redirection - Exactly what it sounds like. Knowing basic Atomkinesis has enabled him to draw electrons from the atmosphere until they can be charged enough to create a brief bolt and be projected where he wishes. If not done correctly, Tempest can risk frying himself in the process or anyone around him. This rare attack move doesn’t change the fact he’s vulnerable to electricity naturally. This can only be used if a severe thunderstorm is present.
Weapons:
Poseidon’s Trident - A legendary item given to him by the God of the seas himself. This allows Tempest to use more special forms of water manipulation and can be used as a melee weapon while in human form. In addition, the Trident can break any Ocean bound curse or be used to alter the sea level.
Appearance:
Tempest is roughly ninety-one feet in length from head to tail. Reflective azure scales cover most of his hulking form, with a golden underbelly and varying turquoise flippers. Three horns can be found bent back across his head almost like a trident, along with emerald serpentine irises, and webbed ears. While he lacks a pair of wings, two large fins remain on his back to keep him level in water. Gold spinal fins run down along his armored back and stop near the end of the tail.
Long ago sea drake populations used to range in the hundreds per pod, arguably one of the ultimate apex predators with the exception of Leviathan. There were many different variations of them, from their unholy deep-sea cousins to freshwater species, tropic breeds, and many others throughout the globe. While their winged counterparts inland were being wiped out, their numbers in the wild remained unchanged for some time.
With the industrial age came the ultimate decline. As mankind's technology became more advanced, so did their weapons, and that enabled them to finally combat the aquatic dragons effectively despite their docile temperament. But this was not the root cause for their elimination: Pollution of the seas claimed more of their lives than humanity's crusade over could. As a direct result, most became biologically vulnerable and died of illness. All that contamination wiped out many of their pods. Tempest is one of the few survivors of this.
Prior to being forcibly separated from his mother, the juvenile of a drake was captured and had undergone training to serve the Navy for a new program they created. Though defiant at first, they managed to tame him when a woman named Diadena Hernandez was assigned to him as his handler. She succeeded in getting him to corporate and went on a number of missions with her Draconic partner. The two became emotionally attached after a period of time.
Once the news had spread of a decision to dissect him came about, Diadena removed his tracker and turned him loose. From there, he fled from the Naval base before migrating hundreds of miles away.
It was only later until the young Dovah heard a song coming from the shoreline. Something about that melody had drawn him towards it in ways that could not be described, other than an uncontrollable urge to confront it and be with whoever was singing it. The one responsible was what appeared to be a young brunette woman, who was too shocked to flee at the sight of him. In his seemingly delusional state, Tempest showered her with affection in the form of licks, nuzzles, and even attempting to hold her. As if knowing he'd be in danger just for staying out there in the open, she chose to travel and run off with him.
Whether his love for her became willing or was a long-term side effect of her sings, the two became an inseparable pair who got in and out of trouble together.
He was a Sea Dragon, she was a Siren, and neither one had a place to call home.
Together they became an unlikely duo, like two fugitives who had no one but each other to rely on.
As they carried on together, the two became increasingly frustrated with the size difference between them, it almost became a sort of barrier. To compensate for this, he drained the Siren's blood and replaced it with his own, which held some magical properties that could convert another into one of his kind. As a result, Clarion instead became a sea serpent. It was through him that she learned how to hunt prey with her new lifestyle. Them migrating together became a daily routine.
. . .
Sometime prior to meeting a man who forged an adopted family of monsters, something terrible happened that forced their group to disband. In the midst of all that chaos, Tempest and his mate Clarion were unable to locate each other quickly enough and fled separately. Just like last time, he was required to travel alone for a second time.
Hopefully for the last.
As for his whereabouts, Tempest is currently on an endless migration, whether it be in search of Clarion, the family, or to seek something else. With no one left to turn to, he conceals himself from any boats or ships that would draw attention to himself. He'll frequently roam in shallow waters, and is known to occasionally take on human form to explore any populated coasts thanks to a special transformation powder.
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Alternative Muses:
Answerer:
One of Tempest's surviving siblings, who was captured by Onyx Corp, had his memories wiped, received heavy augments for combat, and trained to be paired with a handler/rider. Like all augmented water drakes, Answerer mostly lacks a personality and only knows how to follow orders due to the brainwashing inflicted by his captors. He has a difficult time when it comes to independent thought.
Now without a rider, the modified brute actively seeks out another in hopes of being given a purpose again, unable to contemplate the idea of choosing his own path or going against what his mind was programmed to do. Anyone with a resemblance to his prior handler, even just personality-wise, is likely to be approached. It's not uncommon for someone to react negatively before Answer either retaliates or continues on.
When interacting with others, one of three things are likely to happen: Either assisting them, eliminating the one in question, or simply ignore said individual. Avoid falling into the wrong category unless he can be subdued.
Trua:
Being a former prince from a long-lost empire, Trua is a hybrid between an Eastern dragon and a European sea drake, able to wield both water and air-manipulation-based magic. This has enabled him to take to the skies, in addition to being amphibious.
Despite the incredible feats he's capable of, he is unusually small for a Dragon, being only twenty feet long from head to tail. The former royalty suffers from amnesia, unable to remember his past. To make matters worse, he often experiences back problems due to the disproportionate amount of weight on his spine from his body structure, also mute from an injury he received to his vocal cords.
It's common for him to hide his walking disability from others, which affects him even in human form, often choosing to sit in a wheelchair when possible, or swim in water while in his true appearance to reveal the strain on his bad spine. Others may find out from him hurting himself by accident or abruptly stopping during a lengthy walk.
To communicate with others since he's mute, Trua will either use sign language, or physically write words into soil or paper if someone doesn't know it.
Mel:
Being a biological uncle to and the same species as Tempest, Mel is an ancient sea drake who is also Trua's father, in addition to being the former leader of his now long lost pod. Said beast is very well composed due to being literally thousands of years old, he is both the oldest, largest, and most wise member of his kind, often being a father-like figure to those around who befriended him.
Having vast experience in combat, he is a prodigy with water-manipulation magic. It is said that wherever Mel is present, a great tropical storm will follow, and that his aquamancy is so advanced, that he can separate the hydrogen from oxygen, and ionize it to create a burning hot plasma, which can be fired in beams. Mel is also highly proficient in the use of cryomancy since ice is just water in a different form. Despite how devastating most of his ranged attacks can be, the big guy prefers getting up close and personal during a brawl. Very heavy explosives are needed to pierce his armored scales.
Due to his massive size, only large prey is sought after, often favoring large species of sharks (including Great Whites), walruses, and rays. One exception to this is sea lion pups, which he finds sweeter in terms of taste. Despite hunting all sorts of marine life, he does not prey on humans or two-legged beings.
Comments
// Replies owed: Zoriko and Spencer.
Spencer’s eyes did a sweep of the surroundings as they traveled onward. The grounds were now familiar. In his own proclaimed ‘territory’ no matter how borrowed from the dragons they may be. All belonging to their dormant queen. He looked onward however with far less concern than the drake. He knew of the region, whet it still held in its timbers and caverns. How to avoid if that was deemed suited, and he had managed to do so in peace.
These questions were things often pondered. Spencer found himself doing less and less as he searched for things to occupy. His visits with Raiya. His dealings in magic, and mentoring of another in its abilities. And apparently… the flooding of the Eastern coast of Nightwing, now. All in all, the last battle was remembered. Whom he had fought alongside, and their target at hand. The blade he won as a trophy in combat to the slayer and where it resided deep within his dragon’s den. The time spent in waiting during their separation of the battle. What had happened in the end that had lead to the absence of his partner, to which he may never know.
Given a soft chuckle to the question, a nod was given. “Skya’s keep holds the library to which she hoarded… not gold but knowledge in a sense. I would not doubt she has overlooked every page of it. Her children were bound to have shared in their stake as well. Her Rider, Lenn, settles down to exchange books and read to this day, although the visits have grown further apart than in the past. Lenn’s daughter once took up the task of assisting the dragoness in upkeep, and now I reside over it… there is an endless amount of sorting and refurbishing that could be done within it, honestly. I do what I can as a tribute to an old friend.”
Said words were spoken calmly. Not as entirely old lore for the library- within the last fifty years or so perhaps at the least. The family tree of what was the dragons, their Riders, and the families beneath their guardianship spanning generations. Spencer looked onward curiously as the water droplets seemed to materialize. Working their way out of his clothing, his hair. Off his skin. Temperature was a relative thing to the man and yet, there was comfort in staying dry. “Thank you…” He responded with some surprise. As they had landed on shore, he made his way off the drake’s back, intent on walking. They had not long, now. “The library is more or less sacred ground, now. However, some of its collection resides on my own shelves… and that is where we will be headed next. None too far from Arzian, if you would be interested in a history lesson as we walk.”
Zoriko didn't need to use her words to alert Tempest of the danger this woman may possess, but in hindsight, she should have. Tempest had managed to evoke a nasty response to his words, leave Zoriko herself a bit bewildered as to what could have provoked her so.
It was obvious that Emmy's shriek was simply to scare people off. Zoriko was able to see right through her guise and so remained calm throughout the entire thing. Her patience was somewhat of a wonder, and not mutual in the slightest. Any and all signs of terror were blatantly displayed on Tempest's face. Within moments of he shriek, Tempest tried his hand in running away, only for Zoriko to grasp his arm tighter, as if telling him Don't Move without uttering a sound. The barrier would protect them, even if they ran, but the situation right now would only worsen if they ran. To be able to produce an ear piercing shrill like that, the woman obviously has some kind of power. The barrier protects against all physical attacks, but may not be completely immune to things like curses, and since she could not possibly know what this talents Emmy may have, their best bet would be to go with it.
But then, Zoriko looked up at Emmy, but right before she was able to ask why, she noticed that Emmy looked somewhat concerned herself. She tried talking now, but words failed her. As if reading her mind, Emmy began talking. "Verrryyy good Zoriko! That noise did come from me. But your friend seems to have thought otherwise" With this, she began to cackle, a sound that sent chills down her spine. Zoriko spoke now, trying her best to sound composed. She was doing a great job, considering how shaken up she actually was.
"Is finding your body really the only thing you are after?" Zoriko poised. Emmy paused for a bit, rolling her eyes; typical teenage behaviour, she must've been quite young when she passed. Emmy glared at them for a moment before pointing to Zoriko's bag.
"What kind of robber has such pure intents? I will NEVER let you taint my best friend's best moment like that. That's what I want to say of course. I can't read your thoughts Zoriko, you're quite interesting. I can read your friend's thoughts clear as day, poor guy thought some kind of demon was out to get him, what do you kids call it? The boogey man? Hah" With this, she snickered, for a moment, only to regain her ghastly composure and continue speaking.
"I'll play nice if your intentions are truly to preserve this ring, or entrust it to a friend as you so brazenly claim, Ms. Zoriko. And yes. I really want to find my corpse. You see, Tempest, it is the memories I am after, and without an object that ties us to the living world, we cannot travel too far from the place we gain our awareness. For me, I didn't realize I was dead until I got here, a ways away from my room, which if I am right, is the one next to a pool of sorts. I only know this, things like my name, and all that nonsense from busy chatter of other beings. I went down right after this boat started to go, so many people were still alive at the time of my death you see. "
Zoriko's expression became puzzled, confused, until it struck her. That look of realization was enough for Emmy to smile, a gentle smile. Emmy talked quite a lot, and so she continued talking.
"I see you've finally realized now, that this ring is the marriage of my older brother and my best friend. Their souls ascended almost immediately after death, they were the lucky ones. Love in life, and love in death, loved, all the way to the other side. What are you waiting for? Weren't you guys going that way? I'll wait for your doodles along the way, and I promise to be nice"
Her constant pleading somewhat relaxed Zoriko, and even the pendant a bit. The barrier did not come down, but it was quite obvious that the threat was slowly minimizing. They made their way towards their destination, each step taken with caution. The silence in the air was most ominous, perhaps the only thing breaking it was a soft pitter patter of water in the distance.
Threat loomed in the air, but only time would tell, whose intentions were truly innocent?
||You still going to jail for booping me, but I do thank you for the invite!||
Zoriko halted for a bit, lost in her own thoughts as she continued sketching the tarnished ballroom, sketching each detail as laid out in front of them. The rough sketch was mostly down, when she began detailing. Looking around now, with an eye for detail, she took note of the dirty walls. They were once a beautiful crimson. The ceilings had old timey chandeliers on it. It would be too old for today's fashion, but around the time this ship was built, it was quite an elaborate piece. Though it was still hanging from the ceiling, it too was not immune to the power of time. Its once clear embellishments were now muddy, and blackened. Pieces of it were broken off and somewhat scattered around the room. It no longer illuminated with the elegance it once had, instead hanging there to symbolize the tragedy that had befallen this ship. Looking around, furnishings, like added pillars, faux flowers, accompanied by cracked and/or muddy, murky vases. This room, and any gathering that could have taken here, amidst the joy would have been the perfect spot, the best moment to have this proposal. Zoriko herself could not even comprehend what other dreams could have ended in the very spot she occupied. Nonetheless, she carried on. When she was done, she packed up, and they began walking. Though her thoughts were almost instantly interrupted when Tempest asked her a question.
"I don't have any concrete goals for this trip, so yes, lead the way, but I'll stop you if I find anything of interest" once she confirmed this, they began walking. Zoriko peered back over her shoulder, only to catch a glimmer of the ring. It was too beautiful of a ring to leave it there. She surely was not a grave robber, but that ring was full of memories, and Zoriko was willing to bet that it was also tied to the souls of the two who were bound by it, even if their time was short. As they left the ballroom, Zoriko ran back in, and grabbed the ring, and placed it within a few napkins she kept in her bag. With care she kept it in one of the inner pockets. Her mission once they returned from the boat would be to restore it, then place it to rest; or in the care of someone who could give such an artifact the respect it deserved.
Perhaps this had given her a newfound motivation, as Zoriko's glum dreary mood had dissipated into a work oriented and jovial one. Remembering his other question, she answered it now, not wanting to leave him hanging of course. Not many knew the extent of her powers, and only she truly know the power of the pendant. So an explanation was due. She smiled;
"One of my skills is something I call reanimation. The scope of this skill is quite large, but to keep this brief, it allows me to see the histories of things past when I touch them while invoking the skill. It is something I can only do with the presence and the aid of my pendant you see, so depending on my situation, it's power varies slightly. In this case, visions appear in what seems like the blink of an eye. It gives me small snippets of their lives. Zora -- my late dragon rider, she used this skill to comfort people. Reanimation can also make an inanimate replica of moving beings move for just a bit as well, she taught me to play pranks on people with it; it's quite amusing really" a smile spread across her rosy lips as she reminisced for a moment, but then they carried on. "Perhaps if we find one --- upon second thoughts, lets wait until we get off the boat for that demo, wouldn't want to spook you too much." She was only teasing of course, but something about the reaction she was expecting from him caused her slight chuckle to grow into a gentle laugh.
As they walked down the corridors of this ship, Zoriko couldn't help but wonder herself, what could have happened to this ship? Maybe one of these souls carried the answer, though it was unlikely.
"What do you suppose happened to this ship? " She asked, looking up at him. Her ember hues were glowing brightly amidst the dim lighting of the ship. The boat was a vessel too big to use her reanimation power, so at this point speculation was all that could harness this curiosity. But she was expecting Tempest to ask the same question, and she already knew that he didn't have an answer. In fact he was probably doting on herself to know the answer. Unfortunately though, she didn't. Thinking out loud she began voicing her thoughts. "Perhaps this could be one great scheme, Mr. Remi got involved, and that was the reason for his murder? Remi died because of a respect that went against his morals, those were among his dying thoughts, but perhaps this is what was against it? Or perhaps it was not a grand scheme at all, an accident? and that the murder of Mr. Remi was but a mere coincidence? Or Maybe, just maybe it was somewhere in the middle? A proud fool murdered the helmsman and did not think enough that he'd be killing all these people in the process? I.. I don't know Tempest, out of all, any combinations of events could have happened and it ended like this. Maybe one small shift in the winds could have prevented this?"
Zoriko at this point had to almost physically stop herself from talking as she would have gone on forever with these possibilities; as if her aquatic friend wasn't stressed to begin with. Their conversation continued for a bit longer when her pendant suddenly became ice cold; a sensation that sent chills down her spine, and made her stop in her tracks with an audible gasp. She had approximately half a second to react, which she did by immediately grabbing Tempest's arm. As if done by instinct, the pendant casted a dome shaped barrier around them; he would have been left out if she hadn't grabbed him. Zoriko's eyes darted in all direction, the glow in her eyes largely increased so that she could see in the darkness that surrounded them. Finally she spotted him, a strange being, sitting down upon a step in the ground. When got up, it was revealed to be a young woman, a passed human, who was in her 20s. Her hair was chocolate brown, and to her waist, tied in a braid.
She looked at them, her eyes were rather somber; she looked sad; as she looked back and forth at Zoriko, then at Tempest. "I called out to you guys earlier, I'm so sorry I scared you. My name is...well you can call me Emmy. You two seem to be exploring, and you definitely aren't humans, so I'm curious. Can I join the ride?"
Zoriko needed to handle this situation with care. "Emmy, My name is Zoriko, and this man here is Tempest. Is there a reason in particular that you want to join us Emmy?"
Emmy looked around. The sadness didn't disappear from her eyes. Her despair seemed to be so deep that melancholy rang in her voice. She seemed lost, scared even. Emmy looked directly at them, at which point she pointed to the corridor extending behind her and simply stated "I'm curious Ms. Zoriko. Greetings Mr. Tempest"
Zoriko was not having this explanation, and so she gently demanded a better reasoning. The ghost denied one, and after a brief argument back and forth, Emmy said "I want to look for my body, so that I can rest, is that such a hard thing to ask for?" Zoriko smiled warmly allowing this woman to accompany them, however with no intentions of removing this barrier. The vibes she was getting from the pendant were not great, and unfortunately she could not signal this to Tempest with words. Instead, trying to let him know by giving him an uneasy look. She continued to hold onto his arm, ensuring that the barrier would cover him as well, as they pressed on, plagued with caution.
Who is Emmy? Her intentions seemed genuine enough, but perhaps the pendant doesn't agree.
Silence persisted up until the question came to be. Spencer’s gaze fell forward again thoughtfully. “I reside in the North East… where our nearest bout of humanity is to the West. My faction was of the Shadow Nation, to which Chanook commanded in the era of its existence. My reach upon Nightwing any further than the mountains we see in the distance ahead was merely in flight. I perhaps touched down on these grounds… not long enough to commit to memory.” Spencer’s head shook. “It was not until recent years I made such a trip to the opposite shore, as you had found me. I doubt not there once was. As for their names and titles, it has escaped me.”
The warning came… and Spencer’s silver hues grew alert. Staring forward to the dragon as if an attempt to see what came next. Despite all opposition or desire to be informed, there was little time and chance in getting such things from the Drake. Feeling the energy gather like a spring tensed set to be let loose, he took his grip on a spine found most sturdy and bent his knees as he sat. The water rose on each side as the acceleration was felt in his chest, building up gradually as they rose higher and higher. Such speeds… Spencer was once accustomed. Riding on the back of a beat that was on oncoming thunderstorm with force beneath wings that blacked out the sky. Yet the smaller, lithe beast proved quicker. The years of Riding lingering in his skillset and yet, the feeling had left him long ago.
One hand grasping securely, taking a more upright position allowed an arm to guard his eyes from the wind. The further inland they went, the water levels were dropping… almost drastically in some places where the mountainous terrain had done its job in holding back the initial rush. As the acceleration became something constant, Spencer took a seat of ease. “I could not tell you why… other than in the origins of this territory they were a faction of war and war beasts. The Riders alone came not until the later years of its existence.” He responded, tone raised ever so slightly to be heard.
“I came to this land merely a wanderer. In remaining for some odd years I became a Rider and learned swordsmanship. Other titles later on… Mage, I have dabbled in some alchemy. As of now I am also the bookkeeper and librarian of Nightwing’s records.” Of course… he told not all. He told the young drake what was applicable, and that alone. Better to not tell one something of himself… that he did not quite understand on his own.
. . .
As they traveled onward, familiarity took root once again. It was something of a nostalgic sense. Each tree being a stranger, yet seeing the landscape as a whole putting a feeling in his chest that he had been there, once upon a time. Ahead, the lake was an old yet recognizable stranger in itself. Once teeming with creatures at its shores it rested as a mundane. He had witnessed wars of old in these grounds. He had witnessed the lake itself as an aerial view countless times in his days of old. He had settled back at the treeline while the dragons enjoyed the waters.
Now was seemingly no different. Avoidant of traveling by water, Spencer spoke little against the dragon’s exploration. With each drop under the water his breath was held- triumphantly so. A human’s lung span less than efficient in comparison to his own circumstances. New grounds were new grounds to be discovered, and he would do little to stand in the way of that.
“Due North.” Spencer pointed in the direction he had stated. “To the shore… we walk from then on.” He instructed, sweeping usually windblown- now dampened hair back and out of his face.
Zoriko noticed his ill appearance the moment his hand was clutching his stomach. She knew exactly what that pain was. Unfortunately the only remedy to such pain was time itself. Time was the greatest healer after all. Blood however, would be what would be cause of worry, so for now, despite nausea, she was able to keep her cool. Zoriko looked away from her drawing briefly when Tempest spoke to pretty much verify that he was fine and that blood would be a cause for concern, but none of this was new information to her. Such affirmation was conveyed using facial signals rather than words.
When she finally finished, they resumed conversation to the topic of grave robbers, one that would irritate Zoriko as well. "Robbers are idiots, those who lack empathy towards others. Fools, to mess with the dead after all, the security is tighter than you think, on the outside premises, but once inside there is absolutely no one. Likely because the security themselves fear what they guard, or rather shall I say; they fear what they do not understand?" She looked up toward Tempest, pointing her index finger at him, and then pointing it towards ourselves.
"Human kind is mostly ignorant, save for a few. But with such ignorance comes a type of bliss, they either fear what they don't know, or they simply do not worry. We are not human, and we are well aware of what could be lurking in there, yet we chose to go in anyway" she chuckled. She was actually quite excited now to go in. She never went before, and was curious to no end.
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The presence of ghosts in the ship caused quite a bit of panic on Tempest's end. Right after she got done telling him about her pendant, he began to run from a threat that was mostly nonexistent from the start. This, only to quite literally stumble upon something he most definitely did not want to see, and that was the skeleton of what appeared to be an unfortunate worker. He made sure they were together all the way, which means he understood the protection, but perhaps fear dominated his senses for now. Zoriko was waiting for a cool moment where she would explain to him once more the power it held and why he didn't need to run.
Zoriko crouched to the ground, and brought her hand close to the knife, not touching it. She would be able to see what happened, and the knife was the point of intersection between the killer and the victim.
"He went by Remi, and was actually one of the most efficient staff members, though sometimes hated by customers because of his blunt nature. The man who murdered him was one such customer; rich, could not take no for an answer. But the favour he had asked for was one that simply could not have been done; against his morals. But for that, he suffered, or rather his suffering was put to an abrupt end." Tears welled in her eyes, such unfairness. But at least for the sake of this man, his death was painless, and he left with only one regret, and that was not seeing the face of his unborn child. And so his spirit remains on board.
"Temp, friend, don't just rush us in a random direction because you think you hear a ghost. Like I said this pendant will protect you. Look how far rushing off gut us anyway. Ghosts that aren't malicious may become angry at gestures like that, so don't. Okay?"
Before Tempest would get a chance to answer, they would be interrupted by the voice of a child. "Lady, where's my mommy?" A small girl clad in pajamas and holding a teddy bear and a blankey. Her hair was reddish and was braided into pig tails. A harmless ghost, as signaled by her pendant. Zoriko was not sure how to answer, so instead she gazed at the kid. She inched closer to Zoriko asking her question once more. Zoriko calmly told the kid that she wasn't sure but that she would help if she needed it. The child looked at Zoriko and smiled, a cute grin from ear to ear, giggling as she said "Actually my mom went up there. I just wanted someone to talk to me, so thanks lady!" before slowly vanishing.
Zoriko was almost too emotional to be on this boat, as she felt real grief at the ghost of a small child, but alas, they pressed on anyway. As they walked toward what seemed to be a ballroom, Zoriko stopped when she felt a small, hard object beneath her shoe. Stepping back, she bent down and picked it up. It was a ring, with a very beautiful, but muddy blue stone in the middle. The dirt around it made her unable to identify it, but she could tell it was valuable. With the ring came the memory of a young man on one knee, to a woman who wore a dress of a similar hue as this stone. Her hair were in pristine ringlet curls, this was a big day for them. Tears formed in her eyes again as she whispered "A tragic proposal" before sitting down to do another drawing of the ballroom.
Zoriko's sympathy was getting in the way of the work they came here for. She could almost feel the pain behind their deaths, but she could do nothing to help
When nothing but crumbs lay on her plate, Zoriko leaned back letting out quite a satisfied sigh as she was very much contented by the food. This restaurant was among her favorites around here. When the bill arrived, Zoriko placed her card into the folder, and allowed their waitress to take it, process it, and bring it back. Once she did, Zoriko laid some dollar bills onto the counter, roughly 20% of the cost of their meal. A tip for the waitress' hard work. When she laid the money down, she got up, putting on her cardigan, and in one swift motion, slinging her bag over one shoulder before nodding her head to Tempest; a gesture that asked "shall we leave?"
When they left the restaurant she followed his lead until they finally got to the shoreline. When he transformed to his draconian form once more, anxiety loomed in the atmosphere around her, until it almost materialized, sending chills up her spine. She allowed herself onto his back, but was quite tense as he stepped into the water. His promise was kept as he stayed at the surface, not allowing most of her to be under water at any given moment. As they traveled further and further from the mainland, the air around them began to grow cooler, humidity in the air, but surrounding them, almost as a frosty fog. When she looked behind them, she could no longer see the land, which she immediately blamed on the fog, regardless of how true that was. Instantly regretting looking behind her, the dragoness felt herself get slightly light headed as she decided to close her eyes, and keep them closed until they would reach their destination.
When the Ship came to view, Tempest reduced his speed, finally giving her the green light to open her eyes. When she did, the sight she saw left her rather bewildered. The vessel was absolutely massive, and the cold fog that surrounded them only added to the eeriness of the ship. The ship didn't scare her, at least not as much as the water did, and so the amusement could be seen in her ruby hues as they began to glow a bright ember sheen.
Finally they reached the deck, and she wasted no time climbing onto its wooden surface, and waiting for Tempest to transform and join her. Zoriko's clothing was wet, and so was her hair, but that simply slipped her mind as she was way more focused on the view in front of her. She'd only seen ships like this in pictures, and recreations in movies, but behold, such a fantasy stood in front of her today. Standing there then, she suddenly questioned why she hadn't gone earlier, perhaps she would've been able to convinced an acquaintance from Nightwing to aid her in her travels. They were on the far side of the dock. The authorities were on the dock opposite. That would work in their favour as they wouldn't have to quite explain how they got there. This ship was shrouded in mystery, she couldn't quite piece together why it was abandoned, but one this was certain; there were definitely supernatural beings lurking inside.
Before Tempest even had a chance to mention it, Zoriko sat on the damp dock and began a preliminary sketch. It took her roughly 10 mins for her to pen down the silhouette of the ship. Her photographic memory would allow her to do the rest at her leisure. For future use, she even pulled our her phone, and snapped a picture of this sunning view. With that, she stood up once more, she nodded her head once more, and they made their way to the land, and then to the other dock, where the bustling chatter of the media outlets and authorities could be heard. She turned to Tempest, and made sure his glamour was right, and that he looked as human as possible. Once that was confirmed, she hid the glow of her eyes with a simple spell. This spell only worked for humans though, so all non humans would immediately be able to tell that she was a different species. When they got near, they were no doubt greeted by a disgruntled security guard. Once she confirmed their identities, and cleared the security protocol, they were allowed inside. Security surprisingly did not force someone to accompany them; likely because they needed all hands on deck (heh) to keep the persistent journalists out. When they were in, she looked over at Tempest, and explained that the Alexandrite charm she wore around her neck casted a barrier that would help them not only see the spirits, but also communicate and protect against any invisible attacks, but it would only protect him if he stayed close in proximity to her.
ALmost immediately after she finished speaking, they were greeted by another voice, except this voice echoed throughout the ship. "Look children; we have guests, finally! Zoriko and Tempest~"
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