[ 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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no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
He leans his head against Aeryn. ]
There's still a lot of this world left to explore.
no subject
And we are still very young. I'm sure we'll find something.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
Okay, a salad it is.
[ He doesn't... really want to get up, though. ]
no subject
Would you like me to come with you?
no subject
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?