[ He looks down at Aeryn when the high-pitched word comes out first, wondering if something's wrong. The follow-up just makes him curious.
Wren has been around enough magic to know how to focus his intent. So at the instructions, he closes his eyes to think about the two that have become his family - Magni always taking care of him, Nym coming to wake him up. The warmth they both hold for each other and for him, and his own feelings for them in return.
There really is a warmth flowing through him and he doubts it's just from holding Aeryn who is always warm. The dragon doesn't let go when it appears the protection spell is set, merely resting his chin on the other's crown. ]
Maybe it was enough, to keep me here so that I could meet you again.
[ Surviving the entire massacre of his village, and his injuries. ]
Okay, let's sit down.
[ Just going to shift in order to scoop Aeryn up in his arms again, taking them over to sit on the sofa. Though... he places the other in his lap, rather than next to him, both arms once again wrapping around the unicorn's waist. ]
[ He lets out a sound of surprise, but it's much softer this time around. He relaxes against Wren, and that doesn't change even when he's suddenly in the dragon's lap. His face does turn very red when the position sinks in, however...
With a soft sound, he shifts to press his face into Wren's shoulder. ]
I do think you could be right. But... back then, I didn't know for sure. I always had this feeling that I couldn't explain, but I was never able to search for you. I wanted to, every day, but... my family was falling ill, one by one.
Everyone I asked for help from wanted money, or...
[ He shakes his head, pressing his face a little firmer into Wren's shoulder. ]
I decided to trust the feeling in my gut, to believe that I were alive, and that I'd see you again.
[ At this point, Wren isn't thinking about anything physical in the intimate sense, only that he likes Aeryn close. That he smells nice - a combination of the unicorn and dragon scents.
Maybe he doesn't need to say that he couldn't look for Aeryn either. ]
Falling ill?
[ He focuses on that, instead. ]
Here we are again. It might not have been the best circumstances, but I'm glad I was there when you needed me.
[ That first question earns a moment of silence. That isn't something he's talked to anyone about - not even the ones directly involved. They all sort of... had this silent understanding of what was happening, and that was that. They fought it where they could, how they could, but... first, he focuses on the second part said. There's a small smile on his lips as he gently curls his fingers into Wren's shirt. ]
I'm glad I listened to my instincts.
[ Finally, after a tense pause: ]
My kind is going extinct. I... am the only one that comes back, no matter what. Everyone else falls ill, and then...
[ He swallows, tightly closing his eyes for a moment. ]
One by one, the illness takes them. That's why those hunters are trying to capture us. To... force us into cages, to be treated, and-... mate. We all agreed that we would rather die out than exist inside cages, reproducing for the sake of them...
[ There's considerable anger and disgust in his voice. ]
[ He can understand needing a moment before addressing that first question. Wren can't talk about his own family either, has never had to because Magni knew already. So there's no pushing when it isn't answered right away. ]
Me too. I'm glad I happened to be close by.
[ When the answer is given, Wren is quiet. He at least understands the first part - going extinct. Though being the only one who comes back... well, that is something he knows on one level. ]
Why is this what the world is turning into?
[ Being hunted and used for someone else's purpose. A terrible purpose, no matter how different they might be. ]
[ He smiles, even if it can't be seen. Even if he doesn't respond to those words verbally, he is shifting to wrap his arms around Wren. A warm embrace says more, he thinks, than words ever could. Then the question comes...
Aeryn shakes his head, silently saying that he doesn't know. A soft sigh escapes. ]
When I was just a little younger than we are now... I was so convinced I would be able to find a way to stop it. I was determined to persuade the hunters to stop what they're doing. To take a different approach. I had this entire speech ready for whenever they managed to track us down next.
[ The laugh he lets out is a bit strained. Instead of continuing, he quietly asks about something that's been on his mind a lot. ]
[ Having Aeryn burrow closer, it's nice. More than that, it feels right. Like they fit together perfectly. Idly, he wonders if this is how Magni feels with Nym, or if Aeryn feels the same.
A hand reaches up to sink into the unicorn's hair, letting the silky strands slip through his fingers. ]
I wish that was enough. Maybe it used to be, but it's become like this already.
[ Ah, the question earns a sharp inhale followed by silence. His head shifts to rest on top of Aeryn's, hiding his face. ]
They've been hunted, used as parts and magic. We've been searching, but haven't yet found any of my kind.
[ Another moment of silence, and the next words don't come through lips. Words only meant for Aeryn to know. ]
Magni could probably find more of our kind soon, but he'd never leave me behind.
[ The other dragon has found his soul mate, should Nym agree - Magni would instinctively know the way to the ancient lands. ]
[ He nods at the first part, agreeing with him. He's quiet, listening patiently to the answer Wren gives. There's sadness and anger - enough to leak into the air, a little, this time. He tightens his hold on Wren, clamping down on those emotions the best he can.
There's a pause after he hears the thoughts in his mind. Words he gently welcomes, the mental brush of his thoughts almost carrying a playful air. Said mental brush is something natural and passive, like a mental aura, as the thoughts are somber, but kind. ]
[ It's a vague way to talk about what happened to his village, without outright saying that they were all slaughtered in front of his eyes. That isn't really a conversation for a reunion - even with all they've already touched upon so far.
He leans his head against Aeryn. ]
There's still a lot of this world left to explore.
[ A quiet sound of understanding is all he gives at first. It's after a moment of considering, he reaches up and threads his fingers through Wren's hair. ]
My mother used to tell me stories about islands, how there used to be many out there, thousands of years ago, hidden from the eyes of mortals. Safe havens for the mers, unicorns, dragons, and more... She had a book with maps pressed inside. If I could find that, perhaps it could be a good starting point.
[ A soft pleased sound escapes him at the hand in his hair, nodding a tiny bit. ]
Magni keeps track of the areas we've been to on land, though he suspects there's some kind of protective magic at work. Making it a real safe haven for dragon elders.
I wonder if that's the same as your mother used to say.
[ It might take Nym a little longer, but Magni tends to be a little easier. ]
Might be better to sleep in a bed.
[ More room for both of them there when they get to sleep. ]
A salad, maybe?
[ Something light, though enough to fill their stomachs for a while. Wren doesn't like the "eat something today" part of what Aeryn said. Definitely going to have to keep an eye on that. ]
Then nods his head. Let's just pick Aeryn up again, and move to the kitchen. Most of the food stuff came from the wagon once he'd taken care of the horses. ]
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Wren has been around enough magic to know how to focus his intent. So at the instructions, he closes his eyes to think about the two that have become his family - Magni always taking care of him, Nym coming to wake him up. The warmth they both hold for each other and for him, and his own feelings for them in return.
There really is a warmth flowing through him and he doubts it's just from holding Aeryn who is always warm. The dragon doesn't let go when it appears the protection spell is set, merely resting his chin on the other's crown. ]
Maybe it was enough, to keep me here so that I could meet you again.
[ Surviving the entire massacre of his village, and his injuries. ]
Okay, let's sit down.
[ Just going to shift in order to scoop Aeryn up in his arms again, taking them over to sit on the sofa. Though... he places the other in his lap, rather than next to him, both arms once again wrapping around the unicorn's waist. ]
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With a soft sound, he shifts to press his face into Wren's shoulder. ]
I do think you could be right. But... back then, I didn't know for sure. I always had this feeling that I couldn't explain, but I was never able to search for you. I wanted to, every day, but... my family was falling ill, one by one.
Everyone I asked for help from wanted money, or...
[ He shakes his head, pressing his face a little firmer into Wren's shoulder. ]
I decided to trust the feeling in my gut, to believe that I were alive, and that I'd see you again.
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Maybe he doesn't need to say that he couldn't look for Aeryn either. ]
Falling ill?
[ He focuses on that, instead. ]
Here we are again. It might not have been the best circumstances, but I'm glad I was there when you needed me.
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I'm glad I listened to my instincts.
[ Finally, after a tense pause: ]
My kind is going extinct. I... am the only one that comes back, no matter what. Everyone else falls ill, and then...
[ He swallows, tightly closing his eyes for a moment. ]
One by one, the illness takes them. That's why those hunters are trying to capture us. To... force us into cages, to be treated, and-... mate. We all agreed that we would rather die out than exist inside cages, reproducing for the sake of them...
[ There's considerable anger and disgust in his voice. ]
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Me too. I'm glad I happened to be close by.
[ When the answer is given, Wren is quiet. He at least understands the first part - going extinct. Though being the only one who comes back... well, that is something he knows on one level. ]
Why is this what the world is turning into?
[ Being hunted and used for someone else's purpose. A terrible purpose, no matter how different they might be. ]
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Aeryn shakes his head, silently saying that he doesn't know. A soft sigh escapes. ]
When I was just a little younger than we are now... I was so convinced I would be able to find a way to stop it. I was determined to persuade the hunters to stop what they're doing. To take a different approach. I had this entire speech ready for whenever they managed to track us down next.
[ The laugh he lets out is a bit strained. Instead of continuing, he quietly asks about something that's been on his mind a lot. ]
What of... your kind, Wren?
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A hand reaches up to sink into the unicorn's hair, letting the silky strands slip through his fingers. ]
I wish that was enough. Maybe it used to be, but it's become like this already.
[ Ah, the question earns a sharp inhale followed by silence. His head shifts to rest on top of Aeryn's, hiding his face. ]
They've been hunted, used as parts and magic. We've been searching, but haven't yet found any of my kind.
[ Another moment of silence, and the next words don't come through lips. Words only meant for Aeryn to know. ]
Magni could probably find more of our kind soon, but he'd never leave me behind.
[ The other dragon has found his soul mate, should Nym agree - Magni would instinctively know the way to the ancient lands. ]
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There's a pause after he hears the thoughts in his mind. Words he gently welcomes, the mental brush of his thoughts almost carrying a playful air. Said mental brush is something natural and passive, like a mental aura, as the thoughts are somber, but kind. ]
I would like to help, somehow.
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He leans his head against Aeryn. ]
There's still a lot of this world left to explore.
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And we are still very young. I'm sure we'll find something.
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We decided to search the land first, figuring if there were other types of dragon, that's where we'd find them.
[ It's harder to search the oceans. ]
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My mother used to tell me stories about islands, how there used to be many out there, thousands of years ago, hidden from the eyes of mortals. Safe havens for the mers, unicorns, dragons, and more... She had a book with maps pressed inside. If I could find that, perhaps it could be a good starting point.
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Magni keeps track of the areas we've been to on land, though he suspects there's some kind of protective magic at work. Making it a real safe haven for dragon elders.
I wonder if that's the same as your mother used to say.
[ A brief pause. ]
It'd be nice if we could all go there together.
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It could be. I'll dig through what's left of mother's things, see if there's a hint.
[ There's a short pause from him as well. ]
I'd like that... a lot, actually.
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Okay. Maybe Magni will change our search to water-based with this information.
[ They were always going to look there, gotta start at some point. ]
If there's a place for all sorts of magical beings, it means we don't have to rely on just dragon instinct.
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I look forward to discussing it with them, when they get here.
[ Aeryn relaxes the rest of the way, closing his eyes with a small smile. ]
This really is... the safest I've ever felt.
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It might take them a while, but I think they'll like you.
[ Just sayin'. Aeryn already seems to be good for Wren. ]
I could almost fall asleep like this.
[ That's how comfortable he is with the unicorn. ]
Are you hungry? [ Asked out loud since there's no reason to use telepathy for this conversation. ]
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[ Very shyly admitted before he smiles warmly at the next thing. A quiet chuckle escapes. ]
I definitely could.
[ Aeryn has a lot of sleep to catch up on, and Wren gives him such a strong sense of security. ]
No, but... I should probably eat something today.
[ He's struggled with his appetite for years now. Something completely different from when they were kids. ]
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[ It might take Nym a little longer, but Magni tends to be a little easier. ]
Might be better to sleep in a bed.
[ More room for both of them there when they get to sleep. ]
A salad, maybe?
[ Something light, though enough to fill their stomachs for a while. Wren doesn't like the "eat something today" part of what Aeryn said. Definitely going to have to keep an eye on that. ]
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Might be...
[ Frankly, he may disagree a little. Because Wren's lap has proven to be much more comfortable than the bed was. ]
All right. I'll try a salad.
[ He will readily try anything Wren suggests, for the most part. ]
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Okay, a salad it is.
[ He doesn't... really want to get up, though. ]
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Would you like me to come with you?
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Then nods his head. Let's just pick Aeryn up again, and move to the kitchen. Most of the food stuff came from the wagon once he'd taken care of the horses. ]
Do you have a favorite food?