Reflections of Scales(Lunna and Kira)
 

Waterdeep. This wasn't a location she had ever really studied. Having traveled between the known Mercenary groups was a failure thus far. She wasn't going to give up but knew the groups were starting to spread the word of her appearance and questions. Some seemed interested but declined due to numbers while she ran into a few sexist leaders who didn't think she could pull her own weight. This was starting to agitate her the more she thought about it. She had to shake that off, it wasn't befitting of her in the slightest. Rummaging in her sack, she pulled out a map of the city, making her mental note and proceeded towards the Market. In her focus, she lost a sense of her surrounding, not aware if anyone was following or keeping an eye on her.

"Maybe this armor was an ill choice." She mused to herself, her tone of voice and speaking held a higher stature then she appeared. That combined with what she was assuming was Cleric designed armor might be a reason for them being put off. "My appearance shouldn't have them assuming my prowess on the field." Letting out a sigh, She approached a notice board that was set up on Warrior's Way. Odd jobs that the Mercenaries were not taking it would appear. She reached up and removed a note for a simple job. A fetch quest that could at least get her some silver to feed herself. "Starting too strong may make the situation worse."

She felt eyes upon her, but it was impossible to tell if it was one of the many passerby's or something worse. She shook her head, gripping the two-handed axe she was wielding tightly before beginning the remaining trek to The Market. She knew her limit, She had just enough coin to supply her with a room for a few nights, a little food for a night or two and a meager set of supplies. Even as she walked the market and began to prepare for the jobs she would undertake, that feeling of being watched hadn't left her in the the slightest. She would have to keep her guard up.

Downing the last glass of the swell they called beer at the Underdark Tavern Alex grimised and looked about him. Gods if I was one of the watch I could have a nice hull tonight. He watched as another set of stolen goods exchanged hands as the barkeep poured another glass for the thief. Six years in this town that passed for a city in this world and he still was surprised at the lack of policing the city Watch had. Ok so they were still a small force dealing with maybe a thousand people. The sounds around him changing drew him out of his thoughts of the different between Waterdeep and New Seattle. At the door stood the local bully boys that passed for the Watch. Think of the devils. Standing he dropped two coppers to the table for the beer as he pulled his leather Jerkin down.

The female of the Watch pair looked him over as he stood and walked towards her. She smiled as he walked by. Clara Cooper, looks like she got that promotion she wanted. he smiled back as he passed them. she was on a hunt, there was no doubt about that. He should have been on one too. Thinking back he sighed and looked out on the weather. “looks like rain again” he mumbled his mind going back to the two gruff looking men who had approached him to look for a lost young woman. He suspected that they had approached him not because of his reputation but because of his hair. One red head in waterdeep was odd enough for humans but to have a second one in town. They probably thought that his hair could help him get close to her without her fearing that he was hunting her.

They had seemed shady to him as they had approached him even before they started their halted speech. Heard his fame tracking skills from leagens away his red scales, the thought made him run his hand over the leather gloves he wore to hide his scales. Unlike most of his kin his mark was on the back of his hands not spine. When he had control of them they looked like the fineist worked tattoos of red dragon scales that one could get in the 21st century, let alone here. Glove had been his first acquisition here in this odd world.

Turning from the way of the Dragon to Waterdeep Way the flash of red caught his eye. Maybe the luck of the Red and Blue was with him. sliding through the crowed Thick by local standers but still thin enough that I have no problem with moving through it Moving up along side of her he watched from the side of his eye as they seemed to swirl a deep shade of teal. Moments later when she stopped at the board he raised an eyebrow and watched her pull one of the jobs from the board. [I]Odd they did not say she was a warrior, yes she was a bit high-strung and had a temper but not that she was a trained fighter. By the looks of her armor she was a spell slinger or cleric, but by the shape of that ax. No she had just gotten the wrong armor. His own hand feeling the studded leather of his own armor as he fingered the hilts of his daggers.

As they entered the market he moved to tail her thinking of ways he could introduce himself to her. They wanted him to get her to a place out in the wilds towards Ardeep Woods, so he had to make nice. A stirring in the crowd around him alerted him to a thief making smash and grabs heading there way gave him an idea. As the thief reached out for her thin looking pouch he stepped in and with the tip of his dagger warned off the thief with a slight cut. The boy yelped and darted away into the crowed. “you should be careful miss, there are many around here that have lightfingers.” He gently tapped her purse with his dagger as he smiled. His red hair hung in a braid along his back swing to the side and he leaned his head and smiled at her. His teeth some of the whitest teeth she would have seen formed a carefree smile.

She had moved due to the commotion between the two. In her thought, she didn't even consider the thought of a pickpocket going for her. Considering was a meager amount, one that she also didn't assume would draw any attention. Her attention turned to the man as he made his remark, a hand moving up to rub her eyes. "I thank you for this. In my thoughts, I lost sight of the basics among larger cities. The basics..." She uttered the last part softly. "I am sorry if this transgression cause you any inconvenience sir." She maintained her composure, despite deep down feeling like a lost pup thrown from the cliff. This was her choice, no one else. This wasn't going to deter her in the slightest, but she was glad one set back was overturned thanks to whoever this man was.

Smiling a bit wider Alex bowed his head to her. “it has not caused me any inconveniences in the slightest. I just happened to have been going the same way as you and saw him go for your pouch.” Openly looking her up and down, he smiled. “Not often I see a red head here in town.” Slipping his dagger back into the sheath he held out his arm to her. “Since it is not often would you allow me the please of your company for dinner? It would be my treat.” His tone was warm and inviting, his manners well breed but with a slight oddness to them. his voice was soft with the hint of an accent she would never had heard before. His eyes if she noticed were teal swirling to gold as they darted around looking at every one nearby. “I am known as Alex Lin Sabin.”

This was rather strange, but for a chance to gather some information about the area and someone actually being polite to her was enough to trust him just a little. She accepted his offer, not wanting to seem rude or turn down the offer of dinner for the evening. "I am Alexandria Fairbreeze." She said with a smile, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Smiling he took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm as he turned her away from the market. “interesting, Alex stands for Alexander, which if I recall correctly is the male form of your first name.” his eyes seemed to settle on a shade of pink gold as he looked her over closely. “your mother’s name is not Sarah Sabine is it? If so then I would think you’re my evil twin.” He laughed good naturally at his joke as he turned down Andamaar’s street.

“you don’t have to answer that. You see my mother is Sarah Sabine, though she is lone dead by now, she worked a bar in a city a long way from here.” A long way and a far time forward from here He thought as he opened the door to a small eating house he knew of. While the food here was not the best it was still better than any he would have gotten near his home. They would not be stuck in the privy out back hours later. The smell of the stew over the fire was rich and meaty. There was a thin layer of smoke from the pipe smokers as they turned to look at the new comers in the door. “Welcome to the Mantle and Pullet. Not the best there is in this town but you won’t be looking to your wallet every few seconds for fear of a light finger.” He held up two fingers to the bar keep as he found them a seat.

"I couldn't tell you my mothers name, for she has been dead so long I haven't much thought of her." That was a half-truth. Her mother was very much alive, but to her that wasn't the case. She felt her mother was dead long before this, and if they didn't know better, it would seem like she was telling the truth fully. As they entered and she listened to Alex explain, that gave her a chance to look around at the area. She was sure this was going to taste better then the last meal she had, in fact she would bet on it. "I'm sure this shall be a better then my previous meals. And not having to worry about an annoying cutpurse shall be welcomed."

As they sat down the barmaid brought over a pair of tankards of beer, as she set them down she smiled sweetly at Alex. “you still looking for some fun later tonight?” she said as she leaned up againted his side. He pulled away from her but he could not get far enough from her.

“I am not looking for any of the fun you have to offer. The fun will last much longer than just the night.” His voice though soft was clear enough that both of the ladies could hear what he said. “now if you don’t mind I and my friend here would like a bowl each of that lovely stew that we can smell cooking with a slice of the Mantel and Pullets famous brown bread.”

Alexandria watched, letting the beer sit for a moment. She wasn't going to speak while the barmaid was there, waiting patiently for her to leave. A group behind her were commenting on the two, calling them the 'Red-headed pair'. She was glad to find another, or this might be a bit awkward. A charmer huh? I hope he doesn't try to push his luck with me. She tried to get her mind off the conversation behind her, not wanting to let them commenting on her appearance get the better of her.

Looking up at Alexandria the barmaid gave her a cold stair and then turned away to get the stew. He caught the talk at the table behind her and gritted his teeth. His eyes were orange green with flakes of teal. “sorry about that, I have been trying to give her a hint that I am not interested in her but she keeps trying to get me to her room.” He turned his head to look back at her making sure that she did not spit into ether of the bowls. “with the number of men that have been in her rooms I would not trust her to not have some sickness that might kill me.” The light of the candle caught a dark black spike in his braid.

"You can never truly know such things, so playing safe is a proper solution." Alexandria agreed, taking a drink of the beer. It wasn't the greatest, a thought of home his her mind as she remembered what she use to have. That was going to take the most to get over. Despite hating where she was from, It had it's finer points that she did like. She heard the group behind her laughing again, shaking her head. "So, May I ask if there was a reason for you helping me? Expecting a favor in return for a good deed?" She looked at Alex with a cautious look. She appreciated the help but wanted to gauge whatever reaction she could garner from him.

“well you can tell if you go to the right temples at the right time, but that is completely different.” He said as he turned back to look at her. His eyes were losing the teal as it became a deeper orange and green. Something about the guys behind her was starting to get on his nerve. “I am sorry about the atmosphere here. I had forgotten why I avoided this place.” The barmaid returned and smiled sweetly without true feeling.

“there you go handsome.” She gently set the bowl down in front of him and then tossed the wooden bowl in front of Alexanderia, the stew slopping out of the edges. She did not give her a smile. Alex’s eyes shifted to a bright leaf green.

“you should be nicer to the people you service.” His voice dropped lower as his finger nails slowly dug into the table. He could feel the dragon below his skin itching to get out as he tried to put a leash on his anger. She raised her eyebrow and then turned and walked away. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes knowing that not only would his eyes be changing colors like a techno ball, but they would be swirling like the whirlpool at the straits of Cerberus. Sighing he tired to tune out the talk that had turned to R rated ideas of what to do with both of them from the table behind Alexandria. “I asked you here because I saw how your purse was a bit light, I don’t like people with my hair color to be treated disgustingly when they are only looking for a small brake.” His teeth cracked as he tried not to grit them to hard.

"I can understand why you'd want to avoid this place." She commented before noticing his eyes. This peek her interested as she watched his reaction, noticing him trying to calm himself. The same technique she has to use occasionally. She would leave the subject of his eyes for another moment, having a feeling that bringing it up might turn the situation worse. "My purse was light, due to the lack of jobs I was able to find. When I arrived, I was willing to pledge my services to any of the mercenary groups that would take me. Of the ones that were not sexist over the issue, the others were not accepting due to increased numbers. I haven't finished searching, but my search for today had to end." Pulling out the flyer and placing it on the table. "I am taking a simple quest out to Kryptgarden Forest. Someone left an item they cherish there but they fear of going back. At least according to this flyer. I plan to undertake this and many others to try and earn any respect I can garner."

“they are not regulars here, it is sadly just the common thoughts of some of the adventures around…” the men behind her laughed at a joke of what they should be doing together and with others. Swallowing he tilted his head to the side and cleared his throat. “Please excuse me.” Standing he stood and took a step towards the men at the table. One of the men snickered as he saw Alex stepping towards him. “you do realize, gentlemen… though I am not sure you are, that there is a lady here present and she does not need to be assaulted by your fowl and crass language.” The men laughed at Alex.

“you think you are going to protect her do you?” the leader of the group stood up and towered over Alex’s 6’3” frame. His hand going to the broad sword he smiled down at Alex. “you and what band of adventures?”

Alexandria hit the table and stood up. "... Forgive me." The first part was completely inaudible, as she gritted her teeth. "Are you a coward?" She shot to the large man. "A deviant, A weak man that cannot stand on their own without drawing a weapon?" She returned, leaving her axe to rest. She wasn't going to rely on it if she was to stand for herself, and she couldn't allow Alex to take the brunt of this as it was directed towards her. She felt her blood boiling, but had to clench her fist to keep it under check. She heard the silence erupt from the bar, all eyes watching the group.

One of the other members of the group, a more slender man stood up. "Oh look, She thinks she can fight. Does the little girl think she stands a chance against all of us?"

"You truly are a bunch of cowards. Hiding behind the imagery of being a strong band of adventurers. Faced with a true challenge, I'm sure you'd run with your tail between your legs." Why was she on this rant, The words were coming behind her mind could process what she was getting herself into. She wasn't afraid of this, but knew doing such a crazy act could potentially cause her problems in the near future.

He could feel the scales along his back pushing through the skin as he tried ones again to hold the dragon back. She should not have to deal with men like these. It made sense to him to be protecting her honor but she really should not have had to deal with the words these men were saying. He had not been expecting her to have a hot temper but then they had told him she could be dangerous. Now he was going to see what it was like without it being againted him. looking her over quickly he smiled. “I think that she could take you if you wanted to fight her one on one, but then I think you’re a bunch of yellow belly minnows hiding behind each other.” Watching their body language he reached down and picked up her bowl of stew slyly.

As the tall man, who must have giant blood in him, took a step towards her he tossed the hot contents of his bowl in the mans eyes. He might fight dirty but he would win this and they would be paying any bills for the healers if that was needed. One of the others burst from his chair a knife flashing in the light as he went for her. The tall slender one having seen what Alex did to their leader pulled out what alex would call bladed knuckles, but he knew they had a name for them. after that he lost track of who attacked who and with what until they were the only ones standing, half of the eating house staring at them with wide eyes, of the other half only a few were still not part of the pile of knocked out bodies.

“I think we might want to be going now.” Alex leaned over and whispered to Alexandria. “the natives are not looking happy with what we did.” He dropped two silvers on the pieces of the table for the bowls, tankards and tables that had been broken before gripping Alexandria’s elbow and stirred her out the nearby door. a fine layer of near clear scales lay acrossed his face and arms, giving a faint red hue to his skin.

Alexandria listened to the conversation before the chaos erupted. As soon as the man with the knife went for her, she moved into melee range of him. She quickly deflected the knife before gripping his collar and slamming her head into his, causing him to fall down cold. Alexandria's training kicked in as she observed the fight carefully, seeing Alex take care of himself as she focused on her attackers. By the time the fight was over, she had a mace in hand and dropped it among the group. The moment he mentioned them leaving she grabbed her axe, just in time to feel him ushering her out. "I let them get to me..." She let out once they were outside and moving again. She clenched her fist and looked over at him, She came to notice the strange appearance he was taking. "Is something the matter?" She questioned, not sure how to word it or even what was going on with him.

Sighing Alex found a dark recess and leaned into it and sighed. He could feel the scales along his face. He had been fighting as near to bear handed as he could knowing that if he picked up a weapon he would have killed more then he meant to. Closeing his eyes he leaned his head back and tired to calm down. When she spoke he looked over at her his eyes were a forest green flecked with teal. Shaking his head a little bit he tried to smile only to realize that his dragon nature was closer to the surface then it usually would have been after a fight. “no they never should have said such things around you.” The slight lisp from his longer canines faided as he spoke and they disappeared. “why do you ask if anything it the matter? I am not showing signs of bleeding am I?” looking down at his body he willed the scales to fade away into his skin. His eyes slowly slowing in their swirl as they shifted to gold.

Looking her over from where he stood he sighed. It was just like him to get into a fight over a woman’s honor he had just met. For all he knew she was just as free with her favors as the barmaid was. Thinking of the barmaid he sighed and let his head fall back to hit the wall he leaned on. “well there goes one dinner that I wont be stopping off at again anytime soon.” He did not sound disappointed, only accepting.

"The slight bit of red I saw on your face..." She commented, noticing the lisp as well. "and the start of your speech." She shook her head. "I think I am letting that rush effect me." Letting out a sigh, she leaned against the opposite wall. "You did not have to do that, but thank you for standing for me. Not many would do that, even if they have a similar color of hair. It might not of ruined that as a place to visit." Putting a hand over her eyes, she leaned her head back. This caused her necklace to lift up from under the armor, resting in view now. "I seem to be causing problems today."

Whipping his hand around his face he scrunched it up as if he was trying to find this red she spoke of. Pulling his hand away he looked down at it and then at her. “I am not finding any red, so I don’t think I was hurt. Maybe it’s a trick of the light out here?” He said looking up at the clouds and the torch over the door of the eating house. “you could be right too that it is the rush. And I would do that for any woman not just a red head. You were good back there, I would not mind you at my side in any fight.” Slipping his thumb in under the edge of his fingerless gloves he scratched at the itch there. Finding that he was now calm enough to have his scales under controle he pushed himself from the wall and smiled at her. “I don’t think they will be wanting us back there any time soon. And if miss Daine has anything to say about it I wont be allowed back in an elfs lifetime.”

Seeing the necklace fall into view he gave it a questioning look. “if you don’t mind me asking, is that a symbol of a god or just something you liked? You see I am not from around here and don’t really know many of the gods symbols.” He sighed and held out his hand to her. “the only problems you caused today were good ones. Those bigots had it coming to them and it seems it was better us then some country bumpkin that had to deal out the justice.” Seconds later the peacekeeper of the tavern tossed out the sleeping forms of the ones who had started the fight. To Alex’s sharp eyes their purses were a bit lighter then they had been before the fight.

"A trick of the light, possibly. That would make the most sense I'd assume." She noticed the sky darkening just a bit more then before, her mind drifting for a second if it was going to rain before his words snapped her thought. "I am as much of a warrior as any man that is within these walls. My looks shouldn't play apart in determining that." She looked over to see a few people walking by in a rather hasty fashion, as if they were worried it would begin to rain heavily in the next few seconds. "Maybe there is a better location to dine in if they attract such a crowd." Musing over the issue, she couldn't help but ponder what would of happened if she went alone.

His question startled her a bit, having thought she hidden the necklace a little better. The symbol was distinct and lying now would be bad. She would have to play her cards right in her reply if he pressed the question further. She let him finish about doing nothing bad, before speaking. In her mind, not wanting to address that as to not agitate her more. "It is a god, as is the symbol etched into my pauldrons." She put her hand over the necklace to hold it, closing her eyes. "Bahamut..." Opening her eyes, she looked to her shoulder. "... Torm." As she glanced back, the figures came into view. She was glad they were thrown out like trash, but quickly looked away as to not let anger take hold.

“and where I come from the army would gladly have accepted you into their ranks as they would have me.” He looked up at the clouds and pulled the hood up over his head, his braid sliding around to the front a darker red seemed to glisten and cling to it. Picking it up to look at the spot he sighed. “I did not feel that one. Probably will be feeling it in the morning.” Looking back at her he debated weather to try another eating house or a drinking den for their meal. He had said that he would pay for her food, and she had not gotten a bite of the food they had been given. “there are a few other eating halls I know of but most of them are not as good as here.”

As she spoke of Bahamut his eyes grew wide. “by the Red Mother how could I have not recognized it.” Stepping closer he looked to her, his eyes asking if he could see it again. “he is one of the Dragon gods of this world.” His eyes twinkled and seemed to glow a white gold as he smiled. “I have not met a worshiper of him around here. I have heard there was a temple here but never really found it.” His eyes sparkled with joy as he smiled. “would you mind telling me about him? what color is he?” Not that I have found anyone who knows of the Red Mother or Blue Father. his mind whispered. That was one thing he had been hunting for, someone who was a worshiper of the Red and Blue. If he could find a devout priest maybe he could get a message to his sire and they could bring him back to earth.

"You'd like for me to tell you about Bahamut?" She looked surprised"I believe I can do that." She removed her hand from the necklace and rested it at her side, readying herself for a bit of explanation. "Bahamut, The Platinum Dragon, and God of Good Dragons. He is worshiped by predominately Metallic Dragons, along with many non-draconian followers. No one can truly agree on what he looks like, some speculating that his appearance can change by his mood or at will. There are those that are opposed to him, those that following the path of Tiamat The Chromatic Dragon. She is also known as the Goddess of Evil Dragonkind. You seem to be unaware of all this more then anyone I've known. They've at least heard of these before and have some understanding." She commented at the end, leaving it open for questions. She didn't want to show her true extent of her knowledge at the start and allow him to explore for himself.

Leading her down the main road he listened to what she had to say intently. “I know a little about them but not as much as you do. What I do know is from what paintings I have found with them in it. Only his name was ever told to me. Tiamat was never named so I always called her the sick one.” He smiled realizing that he should start back at the beginning.

“six of your years ago I was brought here from my world to hunt a killer. He had killed a mages daughter but the mage was unable to find the killer.” He shook he head trying to think of how that mage had been unable to find the man when he had no problem finding him. “he created a spell that would reach out through all the worlds and realms to find a man perfectly suited to find the killer, I just happened to be it.” Keeping his eyes open for anyone that might try to do them harm he continued to lead her through the north Ward thinking that it was a bit safter then Trades Ward at this hour for them to walk and talk. “I found the man and brought him alive to the Lords of Waterdeep. It was Lord Silverlin that had hired the killer, of a slight he thought the mage had done to him.” hints of dark blue mixed with the gold of his eyes.

“since then I have been trying to find a way back home but even the mage’s the Lords of Waterdeep could not find a way to send me home.” Looking her over he realized that if there was any one that would know about the Red Mother or the Blue Father it would be her. Sighing he pulled her into a secluded ally way. “in my world there are only two Dragon gods, the Red Mother and the Blue Father. I know that if I could find a worshiper of them here,” he pointed to the ground they stood on. “then I could get home. Blue Father is know of opening doors into other worlds just to spared the worship of dragons.” more like to spread dragon kind. But she would not believe that a Dragon god would open a door of a human like I seem to be. “from all the storys I have been told of those two Tiamat sounds like the Sick one.” He looked up to the heavens before looking back at her, the rain had started to fall harder. “when the first clutch was hatched there was one born small and sickly, Red mother took great care of that one hoping that it would grow healthy and strong and for a time it seemed to. Then one day, long after the Sick one reached her triples she turned on the Red Mother and killed the clutch that Blue father had created. Fearing the sickness spreading they bound the sick one to her lair and sent in the pearl Dragon. He tried to find the sickness and bring it out of her but even his great knowledge could not find her sickness. Then one night the Sick one disappeared and ever since the Pearl Dragon has been looking for her.”

She listened to the story with interest, all this new to hear. It was fascinating that something like this was possible but she had seen stranger things before. She kept her eyes open around her, taking in the sites of the paths that they took, noting locations that could be of interest as they continued along. When he pulled her into the alley, she gave him a confused look as he explained his plight. Strangely, She felt that this could be trusted. Possibly by the look in his eyes, but that couldn't be explained at the moment. "Sadly, None of our deities are called by either of those names here. In all my years, those names have never been said. However, That does not mean it's a hopeless cause." She put a hand to her chin and thought aloud. "There has to be someone powerful enough to help you in your cause... I may not be of much aid now, but I would like to help you. However, I must warn you. Do not try to seek the aid of the Chromatic Dragons. They only care for themselves in what they do. Even if they ask for help, It is always to serve a secondary means. Even then, You can never trust that they will not deceive you. I have heard stories of Red and Blue Dragons devouring people who helped them, just to avoid giving them promised rewards." I had seen Father do it numerous times. That Woman just burned them. "We cannot ask Metallic Dragons for aid, at least not easily, as they are on the other side of this land." She shook her head, having rambled on long enough in her thoughts.