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Post by steampunkepsilon on Dec 30, 2011 12:27:51 GMT -5
However much he would have liked to stay concious, it was exhausting, and Setcher curled up and slept soundly without intending too before long. His mind was hazy, dizzied between exhausted and concern for what might have been following him the night before, and then exhaustion again. Eventually his thoughts quieted themselves and exhaustion proved to be the better man, and he laid there until morning.
He had only just woken when there was a shout from below, and Setcher stretched and laid limp for a moment, expecting it to be Thorgrim coming to see him. Standing, he yawned and crept into the light, peering down the cliffside and seeing --
Not Thorgrim.
And then he did see Thorgrim, and the way he was dangling tucked under the large male's arm, limp. Silent. And now, the man was threatening him, or Thorgrim, or perhps he was threatening them both in an indirect fashion. However it was, the needled spines along his back and shoulders snapped to attention, and Setcher's eyes became slivered slits of rage. His brow furrowed, lips lifting in a slowly escalating growl, and then a loud snarl. In one swift movement, he gripped the edge of the cliff and lunged into the air, soaring the distance with the push and arching down towards the ground. There was a heavy thud as he landed, claws digging intot he dirt, and his spines quivered, tail lashing slowly. His eyes were hovering between the unconcious boy and the man and his crossbow, ears flat against his skull and teeth prominently bared.
He knew he should have trusted his instincts. This was who had been following him, he was sure of it! He should have taken him out whenhe had the opportunity -- one blazing sweep of white-hot lighting would surely end him. But now... with Thorgrim so close... he couldn't risk it. His electricity would probably harm the boy as well, if any skin was touching, even if he only struck the cloaked figure. And even then, he couldn't know for sure how easy it would be to make that accurate of a strike.
No. Couldn't risk it.
Striding back and forth, he stayed fifteen feet away, flickers of blue-white electricity flashing about his teeth and muzzle, and flickering between the stiff, sharpened spines along his back. The growl remained in his throat, expressing itself as a furious hiss of rage every moment or so. Who was this man? What did he want?
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Dec 30, 2011 12:51:35 GMT -5
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Dec 31, 2011 16:30:01 GMT -5
[]
Tense seconds ticked by, and the dragon still did not appear. But Hadrian did not doubt that the dragon was watching him from amidst the darkness of the cave. His index finger tightened around the crossbow's trigger, but did not release the bolt. He could not afford to kill Thorgrim just yet - he needed the boy as bait, otherwise he would have almost nothing else to lure the dragon. The dragon was his target, the cave was the location he had needed to track down, and the boy was the bait. All the pieces were set, and he needed to proceed with his plan. But cautiously.
Suddenly, the dragon emerged. Excellent. Things were finally beginning to happen. The dragon leapt down, and Hadrian took a step back, giving himself a little extra space in case the dragon charged - something he hoped did not happen. Hadrian's biggest fear right now was not being attacked - but rather, he feared that the dragon did not care enough for the boy to submit. If that were true, then there was nothing that would stop the dragon from attacking and foiling Hadrian's entire plan.
Hadrian stood his ground despite the growls and threatening display of the electric needleback. The man knew he could not back out now.
"Don't come any closer, dragon, or I will kill him." warned Hadrian, pressing the crossbow tighter against Thorgrim's head. The pressure caused Thorgrim to slowly come to.
"...What...What happened...?" mumbled Thorgrim, his vision blurry. He blinked rapidly, trying to make out the hazy figure in front of him. His eyes widened. It was Setcher! And it took him only a few seconds to realize whose grasp he was in - the stranger's!
"Well, look who woke up." taunted Hadrian, "One move, boy, and I'll send this bolt through your head. I've told your dragon-friend the exact same thing."
"What are you doing!?" demanded Thorgrim.
"Do you not see what type of dragon your friend here is?" questioned Hadrian, smirking, "An electric needleback - extremely rare. But it's not his hide I'm after. Oh, no. Someone's put a price for taking them live. And that's exactly what I plan to do."
Thorgrim's head hurt too much to think clearly, but, from what he could make out, this meant that Hadrian was no poacher. He was a hired hand - but for whom? And why did they want Setcher? Things were not as they seemed. Hadrian's motive seemed to be money, but he was a tool for someone else. This was more than just hunting or poaching. Someone wanted an electric needleback.
"Now, dragon," said Hadrian, "Look over there, by the trees. There's a cage. Get in it. Now!"
Hadrian pointed, with his crossbow, to the cage he was referring to, beckoning Setcher towards it. Nearby, lying next to several trees, was a large cage - of a size big enough to contain a dragon - made of a strong metal alloy. It was positioned atop a cart - one usually pulled by horses. Thorgrim could guess, more or less, what Hadrian wanted to do - lock Setcher in the cage, get rid of the Viking, and then bring horses - which were no doubt nearby - to pull the cage to wherever Hadrian would meet with his buyer.
"Idiot... Do you honestly think he understands you?" remarked Thorgrim. Hadrian's arm tightened around Thorgrim's throat, causing the young man to struggle slightly.
"Foolish boy - dragons, especially electric needlebacks, are far more intelligent than almost any other beast. Many of them can understand our tongue well enough, even though they cannot speak it themselves." replied Hadrian, and then glanced at Setcher, "C'mon, dragon, get in the cage before I lose my patience!"
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 1, 2012 13:32:27 GMT -5
Panic rose in the dragon's throat as Thorgrim slowly regained conciousness, the bolt laying dangerously close to his temple, prepared to snap on a hair. The man wanted him, and he wanted him alive, and Thorgrim... was the bait.
As much as he would have liked to lunge at the man and rip him to small, unrecognizeable pieces, he couldn't -- not yet. As long as he had Thorgrim, there was still the threat that the boy would be harmed, and Setcher would not allow that. The cage was easily visible and he turned to stare at it momentarily, green eyes wide with a mixture of fear, fury, and confusion. As the man directed him towards it, he considered the proposal, and then turned to stare at the stranger once more.
He wouldn't release Thorgrim until he was in that cage and locked away tight, but Setcher doubted he would release him at all. Once Setcher was captured, there would be no more use for him, and the man would send that bolt through the boy's temples without a moment's hesitation. And as long as Setcher was in that cage, he wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.
However, as long as he remained outside...
He knew that the only thing the man had against him, the only thing he cared about enough to risk his freedom over, was Thorgrim. As long as Thorgrim was at risk, Setcher would not let him he harmed. But that was just it -- he wouldn't drop to the ground with agony and submit the moment the boy was dead.
Once that happened, there would be nothing keeping his teeth from this arrogant bastard's throat.
There was a moment of silent stillness, and then he began to pace slowly, back and forth, making long strides along a path of maybe thirty feet, like a tiger on the other side of a sheet of glass from its prey. He never removed his eyes from the man, glaring him down, eyes like the needs on his back. The electricity flickering around his maw and shoulders fluctuated with anger and adrenaline, and he allowed his teeth to show briefly. As long as Thorgrim, Hadrian was a safe, living man. As much as he said he was losing his 'patience', he couldn't kill Thorgrim without ending his own life.
[]
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Jan 2, 2012 15:04:52 GMT -5
The dragon was not appearing to yield, and this caused Hadrian to tense slightly. Why had the dragon not submitted yet? Had he made a mistake in choosing Thorgrim as the bait? No, he had not, otherwise the dragon would have attacked long ago. It appeared, though, that the dragon was rather testing Hadrian. The needleback was far more intelligent than Hadrian had anticipated. But, also, far more arrogant and headstrong. And the man knew that he would have to up his game and show the dragon that this his threat was not an idle one.
Meanwhile, Thorgim's mind was racing - trying to formulate some plan. They were in a stalemate, and he had to break it. But, right now, he was in no position to do so - one single movement, and he would be dead. No, there was nothing he could do now. But, if Setcher were to submit and enter into the cage, perhaps Hadrian would relax, and Thorgim could do something. He noticed that the man's sword was just a few inches away... But could he risk it? Thorgrim was beginning to think he did not have much of a choice... He could not allow this man to take his best friend away. Thorgrim would never let that happen, especially not to Setcher. But he could only go for the sword if Hadrian was not about to send a bolt into his head...
"Enough of this!" snarled Hadrian, and pressed the crossbow tightly against Thorgrim, "just test me, dragon. See if I'm bluffing!" Hadrian's finger began to tighten around the trigger. "Three seconds for you to get in that cage," was the ultimatum he announced.
"Three." The countdown began. If Setcher were to use his lightning, the ensuing shock would cause Hadrian's finger to press the trigger, anyways.
Thorgrim slowly began thinking up a plan...
[[Gah, sorry for the short post. Not feeling very creating - I'm a little down, but I should have a much better post next. :3 And I hope the drawing doesn't disappoint. ^^ But it's coming out very well! And thank you, you too! All the best for the year ahead. ^^]]
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Jan 4, 2012 14:18:56 GMT -5
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 7, 2012 0:02:07 GMT -5
D8 D8 D8 OMG. <3<3<3<3<3<3 YOU AMAZING PERSON YOU.
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 7, 2012 0:23:39 GMT -5
Once the man began to count, then Setcher started to feel truly concerned.
Perhaps he had judged incorrectly and the man really would kill Thorgrim -- dear, innocent, young Thorgrim, with a bolt through his temple. The image made him feel ill and he tried to push it away, but it was a fery enduring fact of the possible near future, and with him being given a time limit, there was no other option besides making a decision here and now.
...Or was there?
He had fought beside Thorgrim, and the glint in the boy's eyes -- fearful, nervous, but hinting with deep concentration -- gave him hope. Or in the least, it kicked a bit of fire back into what was left of his own, and Setcher's eyes narrowed. Spines stiff and flickering with blue-white flashes of hot light, his lip curled in a voracious snarl, and he held his ground. He wouldn't allow Thorgrim to be killed, but he also wouldn't let the man fool him into thinking that the boy would survive if he did comply. Setcher knew that to be a lie, through and through, and stood firm, head and eyes down to the man's level, glaring at him as if analyzing ther very essence of his soul.
He still had two seconds.
[[ooc: getting teeense :0 ]]
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Jan 8, 2012 15:27:25 GMT -5
I'm really very sorry for not posting yet. =/ I'm working on a post now, and will try and submit it as soon as possible. I've been busy most of today. ><
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 8, 2012 20:07:19 GMT -5
stop worrying about it, silly! xD I am PATIENT. Your postage is worth eet
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Jan 10, 2012 15:37:24 GMT -5
The dragon was not budging. Hadrian was growing more impatient with every second that was wasted waiting. He knew that this coercion was, in itself, quite a gambit - he was testing the dragon's attachment to the boy, but, at the same time, he was testing the dragon's intelligence. Despite the great reptillian creature being his enemy, Hadrian could not help but be amazed. And intimidated. He refused to allow the electric needleback to better him in this battle of wills. And he knew that the key to emerging triumphant was the boy he held captive in his arm - Thorgrim. As long as he had Thorgrim, he had Thorgrim's life in his hands, and that gave him the upper hand.
"Two..."
Hadrian's finger began tightening around the trigger - a few millimetres further, and the bolt would be released into Thorgrim's head, killing the boy instantly. The atmosphere was vibrant with tension.
Thorgrim hatched a plan at last: Hadrian's sword was less than half an arm's reach away - if the man relaxed enough to release Thorgrim just slightly, the Viking could make a grab for it. But he could not do that if Hadrian had the crossbow against his temple. And the only way to ensure that there would be any possibiltiy of the man relaxing was if Setcher submitted... Thorgrim knew what he had to do. Slowly, Thorgrim, without allowing Hadrian to notice, nodded towards Setcher. He needed Setcher to trust him - they had only one shot at escape, and Thorgrim absolutely refused to allow Setcher to be captured. All he needed was for Setcher to submit long enough for Thorgrim to launch a surprise counter-attack...
[[ XD Thanks. ^^; Still, I'm very sorry for the late post. =/ And very true - it is getting quite tense. o.o By the way, another drawing of Setcher - and this time, with Thorgrim - will probably be uploaded sometime this week. ;3 ]]
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 12, 2012 21:11:33 GMT -5
The second number was called, and Setcher's resilience began to falter slightly. He really was intent on getting him into that cage, and.... Setcher could no longer run the risk that he wasn't relying only on Thorgrim's life. he sensed no others nearby, but there was still a chance he could have backup or magic or some form of secondary assurance that Setcher would submit. Thorgrim could just be the first tier of insistence.
And then, the boy gave a faint, almost motionless nod, and Setcher glanced at him for a moment, before looking back upwards.
He had a plan, and the dragon would have to trust him.
There was a moment of hesitation, and slowly, Setcher's growl silenced, his lip lowered to hide his teeth, and he took a couple of steps backwards. The spines remained tense, but relaxed just slightly, and he turned towards the cage, slowly beginning to walk towards it. He didn't remove his gaze from Thorgrim until he was closer to the metal prison he feared he may actually end up remaining in, turning his head finally and striding away. He was still tense, but his stance was submissive, his back turned, and his head down -- he seemed to have given up. There was a moment of hesitation, and he stared at the cage, then rose up and placed his forepaws on the edge, purposefully slow as if moving wth caution and fear and melancholy.
However, he was all but ready to turn on a dime and fight. All he needed was Thorgrim's signal...
He could only hope the boy would know what to do.
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 12, 2012 21:14:06 GMT -5
[[ oh, shush! Stop worrying about it. And YAY! I'm excited ]]
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Post by Ӊ ӑ z ҿ on Jan 14, 2012 15:37:59 GMT -5
[[Blargh, once again, sorry for the delay. However, the reason is: I've been working most of the day on that site I talked to you about in the e-mail I sent to you - coding (which I hate XD), working on graphics, and so on... -.- Still, I'll post as soon as I possibly can. ^^; ]]
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Post by steampunkepsilon on Jan 14, 2012 18:00:14 GMT -5
[[ coding sucks. proboards isn't too bad, though. yay! link me when you're done! ]]
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