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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 7, 2013 0:06:46 GMT -5
The day was pleasant and Cassander had decided to take a trip outdoors and enjoy the good weather. That's what normal kids did, right? They took a break from their studies and explored the natural world and Cassander was of the opinion that for once, maybe the rest of the world had a point, and he should stop being such a social recluse and see what the world outside the safe realm of his books had to offer. Of course, he brought along a book to read once he was outside, for what else did people do with their time? Once he was outside, he had to admit, his peers did have a point; the world was a beautiful place.
He had taken off from the top of the boy's dormitories and had caught a breeze and he was drifting now, taking in the world below him. He appreciated his wings: not only was it convenient to hop out of his dormitory, onto the roof and fly away as he pleased, but his ability to fly gave him a view that he couldn't image obtaining any other way. The castle itself was beautiful -- a sort of sprawling work of art and the surrounding grounds -- the forest and the river were just as stunning. He allowed himself to glide for about half an hour and he had reached the river when he took a lazy dive towards the earth and he settled gracefully upon a rock jutting out of the center of the river. He folded his tawny-and-chocolate wings behind him, pulled out a book and began to read with the sounds and smells of mother earth's perfection around him, settling his mind and body.
Meeeeoooooowww!" He looked up, curiously. Was that a cat? He told himself that it was silly to be distracted by something as common as a housecat. Housecats were everywhere, weren't they? Ruffling his feathers, he turned back to his book.
Meeeeoooowwww!" The whine came again. "Meeeoooowwww! Meeeeooowwww! MEEEOOOOWWW!!"
"What?!" The banshee demanded, closing his book, with one finger to hold his place. He looked around him, but found no cat in the river.
"Meeeoooowww... Came the sound, and Cassander located the source of it, this time. It was indeed coming from a cat, a cat stuck at the very top of a tree.
He sighed and closed his book all the way, setting it down upon the rock before rising to his feet. He flexed his wings and then sprang away from the ground and into the air. He beat his wings rapidly before he flapped over to the tree and landed on a branch close to the cat. Folding his wings close to his body, he steadied himself.
"It's okay kitty." He crooned. Cassander liked animals. They were never cruel to him, unlike people.
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 7, 2013 0:28:45 GMT -5
“Dandelions. Rocks. Weeds. Sky. Trees. Water.”
Dedrallow mumbled under his breath, stating whatever he saw as he strode next to the riverside. His hands were jammed into his pockets as his eyes darted around. He had a habit of repeating everything he saw whenever he reached a new area, it was as if he wanted to know everything’s proper place, after all you couldn’t be too careful. From anyone’s point a view a grown man walking alone and talking to himself defiantly shouldn’t be left alone to wander around, but Dedrallow wasn’t deadly…unless provoked. He turned to his side where his companion Rouge was (who was currently in the form of a black dog) he reached down and patted her head, showing the slightest smile that twitched at the edges of his lips.
As a changling, Dedrallow has spent most of his life taking up the identities of numerous strangers and some that he just made up. While it was amusing for the first time, overtime it came to the point where it weighed on Dedrallow stability. Perhaps though, he was just born mad? Dedrallow turned away from Rogue as he continued to walk. He had no destination in mind for he had no place to return too. The place that he was born seemed like a lifetime away.
“Rouge. Butterfly. Grass..” he continued on with his muttering until Rogue began to bark. It shot through his concentration and he scowled as he looked up to see Rogue running a few feet in front of him. He noticed a few yards away there was a young boy sitting in a tree with a cat. A peculiar site indeed. He titled his head to the side as he called for Rouge, but she already made up her mind and was racing toward the tree. Dedrallow cursed under his breath, for he didn’t like to interact with others unless he had too, and this was one of the cases where he would rather not. He took his time though to get to the tree.
“Rouge, shut up.” He scolded her when he finally got close enough, not even glancing up at the tree.
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 7, 2013 1:21:01 GMT -5
Climbing was awkward, not only because Cassander had expansive wings to deal with, but because he had little practice at climbing. Why should one spend time climbing trees when one could fly?. Still, it didn't stop him from getting close enough to the troubled feline to grab her by the leg. She hissed at him and wobbled on her perch, but it was enough for Cassander to grab her by the scruff of her neck and drag her into his arms. She did not take kindly to this, and hissed and yowled at him as he slipped and fell onto the next branch, flapping his wings mightily. The entire tree shook as he toppled from branch to branch, a spitting cat clawing at his chest. In the middle of all this, a dog started barking, and Cassander caught the blurry sight of the dog standing near the roots of the tree and barking up it. The last thing he needed right now was a dog. In a Herculian effort, he braced his unsteady legs against a branch on which he was not firmly planted on and took off into the sky once more.
Immediately, she stopped hissing and striking at him and sunk her claws into the fabric of his shirt and held on for dear life. Despite having her claws in his flesh, Cassander put a protective arm around her. Below him, he saw the dog he had caught sight of when he had been falling out of the tree. There was a man with him and it was with unease that Cassander landed gracefully on the ground next to the river bank (the opposite river bank, mind you) and folded his wings behind him. Just as abruptly, his passenger scrambled down his body and jumped onto the group. She shot him a single dirty look before she sprinted off into the trees, which she would no doubt get stuck in later that very day.
"You're welcome..." The banshee commented, even though she had left his presence.
He very much wanted to fly back to the center of the river and get back to reading his book, for the study of the properties of magical atoms was something that intrigued him, but there was the matter of the mystery man and his dog to attend to. He didn't want to deal with people right now and as he had just learned that animals could be dicks too, so he didn't want to deal with anyone at all right now, so he flew to the center of the lake, picked up his book and flapped to the man's side of the river bank, where he pocketed his book and began awkwardly walking past him.
"Nice afternoon." He said, his words sounding forced. He kept walking, making every effort to look like he had somewhere to be.
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 7, 2013 10:58:04 GMT -5
Rouge immediately got quiet and sat down. She began to wag her tail as she nuzzled her owner’s side. Dedrallow just looked down at her and shook his head. He turned and watched as the boy climbed down the tree with the cat in his hand. Dedrallow was almost half tempted to just walk away right now; however he remained where he was. He shifted his weight as the boy flew on the other side and let the cat down that quickly scurried away. At this point Rogue shifted into a raven and flew up onto Dedrallow’s shoulder, cawing loudly. Dedrallow just ignored her. Rogue just liked to be the center of attention. He turned his attention back to the boy who flew back to the side of the river and spoke to him. Dedrallow remained silent for a long time.
“Yes, Dedrallow thinks so too,” he spoke speak in in third person. He did this so he didn’t forget his name, after having hundreds of alias; it wasn’t hard for him to get confused. He reached in his pocket and took out a piece of bread, tore it in half gave Rogue half of it and stuck the other part in his mouth. He petted the raven when she flew down and shifted again into a cat (Dedrallow was used to her random transformations and just ignored it)
“Cat,” he whispered to himself continuing counting things he saw catching up to where he last left off, “Banshee. Bread.” He didn’t even pay attention that he could be perfectly heard and that he probably sounded like he crazy…of course that wasn’t too far off from the truth.
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 7, 2013 22:37:28 GMT -5
Cassander's hardwired avian instincts were sharp as a piece of glass and he whirled around when he heard another pair of wings taking to the air. He could hear feathers ruffling a mile away. He didn't find anything particularly unusual. Really, men with ravens on their shoulders wasn't that out of place in these parts...unless you count the fact that the raven was there, but the dog was now missing. Maybe it had wandered off to chase squirrels?
"Who's Dedrallow?" The banshee boy pressed, warily. Dedrallow sounded like the name of an ancient god or idol or some ancient ritual that probably involved virgin sacrifice. He hated the idea of virgin sacrifice--wouldn't it be better to sacrifice sluts, particularly the ones who were all set to die of diseases anyway? Regardless, as long as virgins were on the list of acceptable sacrifices, his name was on that list.
"The cat ran off." Cassander replied. "I'm the banshee and no thanks, I'm not hungry." This guy was seriously starting to creep him out and his wings were twitching, ready to snap open and catch the air the second this thing turned nasty. "Do you live here--in the forest?"
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 8, 2013 21:28:44 GMT -5
Dedrallow gave him a strange look, wondering why he was saying all of that, not realizing that it was he that was rambling on like a madman. He scratched his head as he shrugged his shoulders. He was still trying to comprehend what was said. Poor Dedrallow, although he could say some outrageous things, he couldn’t quite understand when other people do (or when it seems like they do based on him) “I’m Dedrallow…” was all that he managed to say as he took another bite into his bread. Rouge yawned seemingly bored and transformed back into a dog, wagging her tail as she sat next to Dedrallow, her attention span being very small.
“No, I don’t live in the forest,” Dedrallow said as he glared at him, did he looked like he lived out in the woods? He folded his arms as he snorted. “What do I look like to you, a madman? You must be crazy.” Dedrallow said, losing his temper a little bit. It wasn’t hard to offend him, and apparently being asked if he lived in the forest was a big no-no in his book. Rogue stretched as Dedrallow dropped another piece of bread and she gobbled it up like it was nothing.
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 9, 2013 20:06:54 GMT -5
A shiver ran through him when the man confirmed that he, in fact, was Dedrallow. Something about him, about that chilling name made his blood run cold. Growing up, the other orphans had said that Cassander had the instincts of a prey animal. Cassander didn't care; he might be flighty as a prized Arabian stallion, but he sensed danger in this man.
"I'm sorry, sir." He said, his high-pitched voice riding an octave higher than it usually did. "I was merely curious. You don't look like a madman at all," He lied,"...you look like..." But he cut himself short, catching sight of the shape-shifting dog--or was it a shape-shifting bird.
Now, as a student at a magic school, the banshee had seen many strange things so far, but not only was he out of his safe haven of the castle, but he got the chills just from looking at Dedrallow and his dog, so when he witnessed the dog changing shape as one changes clothes, the feathers on the insides of his wings stood up.
"What is he...?" He ventured, haltingly, burning with a fearful curiosity.
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 10, 2013 10:08:44 GMT -5
Dedrallow scented fear in the young boy as he retracted what he had said earlier saying he didn’t think Dedrallow was a madman. He wasn’t sure if he should believe this or not and still had his hands gross, glaring at him. Dedrallow calmed down after a few seconds though, because it didn’t seem like the kid was going to pull anything funny. He turned his head when he asked what Rouge was, apparently never seeing one before. Rogue turned and looked at the boy, wagging her tail happily before turning to Dedrallow. Rouge was his one true real companion; he didn’t know what he would do without her.
“This is Rouge, she is a shape-shifter,” Dedrallow said simply. His tone softened up when he spoke about Rouge, “she’s actually a rare breed, she’s even able to turn into a person if she wanted too. She’s been with me for six hundred years.” He reached down and patted Rogue’s head. Their personality were polar opposites (for the most part) Rouge was very hyperactive who couldn’t pay attention to one thing at one time for more than five minutes, but it was because of her that he was able remain somewhat sane.
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 11, 2013 15:44:36 GMT -5
Something clicked in Cassander's brain. The shape-shifting companion, the evasive first-person pronouns, even the shifty (no pun intended) feeling he got around this man. He was a changeling, very much an adult changeling. He had read about them, but he had never seen one in person. Fascinated, and still a little scared, he scruntinized Dedrallow with his eyes.
"You're a changeling." He pointed out.
Immediately, his mouth went into overdrive and his scientific mind took over.
"I've read about you before. Is it true you even change into inanimate objects? What happens to your clothing, when you shift -- I've always wondered about that? Are you, y'know, naked when you shift back? Weird, huh? I hear you're related to the sidhe, just like me...only not, because I have totally different genetics--as a banshee--but you get what I'm saying, right?" He was speaking so quickly that he didn't think about what he was asking for when the next sentence popped out of his mouth. "Can you shift into me?"
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 11, 2013 16:22:12 GMT -5
Dedrallow raised a brow at him as he began to rant and rave with questions about being a changling. This has never happened to him before. If one was ever to figure out that Dedrallow was a changling, they never went and asked a million questions (most would quickly leave, even more so if they had kids) Dedrallow stood there and remained silence until he was finished talking. A small smile tugged at the edge of his lips, liking this sudden change of atmosphere.
“Yes, I am a changling,” Dedrallow finally answered, “and I can shift into inanimate objects if I wanted too, but that can be a tad boring.” Dedrallow stated with a shrug of his shoulders, as though it wasn’t a big deal, which it wasn’t to him, after all he’s been like this for over 600 years. “Well, it really depends. If I shift into another person that is about the same size as I am now…then my clothes will remain intact, but if not, then yes I would be naked.”
There was a glim of amusement in his eyes as he reached over and touched the boy, something he wouldn’t normally do, but he had caught his attention and Dedrallow liked the fact that he actually was impressed with Dedrallow’s shape-shifting abilities that he wanted to show him what he could do. Before his very eyes, Dedrallow shifted into an exact copy of the boy that was standing before him. Luckily they were pretty much the same size, so his clothes fit perfectly. Dedrallow have him a mischievous smile.
“Yes, I can shift into you.”
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 11, 2013 23:01:36 GMT -5
Cassander stared at the other man, fascinated, as his features melted into a perfect copy of himself. Despite his valiant efforts, he could not tear his gaze away. It was like looking into a mirror, but not at the same time. Cassander was not the type of person to stare at himself while he perfected his hair and clothes, but there's something about seeing yourself, standing in front of you, that holds you mesmerized.
"Woah..." Was his intelligent comment.
He flinched as the changeling touched him. Dedrallow's touch was cold, by his standards, cold and it might sound strange, but Cassander sensed a moral squelchy-ness about him. It was really the only way to describe it. Something about this man was...off.
He had to admire the craftsmanship in every hair follicle and every crease in his finger-joints. His eyes were the exact same color and shape his were. There was something missing, behind them, he noticed, as he stared deep into Dedrallow's pupils. It was a darkness that was not his own. He supposed that someone would have to know him very well to catch that, and there wasn't anybody who knew him all that well.
"I can see that." He said, half-frightened, half fascinated out of his brilliant little mind. A feeling of insufficiency was coming over him. This man could change into anyone and anything he wanted at a moment's notice, but here he was with a pair of giant, feathered wings and not much else to show for--but he did have other things to show for it. In his hurry to oggle the stranger, he had forgotten that he himself, was actually quite talented.
"I can read people's minds."
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 12, 2013 10:28:57 GMT -5
Dedrallow wasn’t used to be being fascinated by his shape-shifting, after all he was a changling, many horror stories had been told about the thieves of the night, those who come in and steal children away. Even though all of that was true for the most part, he wasn’t used to someone in awe about it. He wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it. He titled his head to the side as he looked at him, the way he was looking deep into his eyes, Dedrallow had a bad feeling, as if he was trying to look into his soul. Dedrallow shook off and took a few steps back, shifting back into his normal appearance (well at least for right now)
“I can read people’s mind.”
Dedrallow took another step back when the boy mentioned his own abilities. From an outsiders point of view it was two people sharing and discussing their own personal powers, but it wasn’t it like this with Dedrallow. A mind reader. He felt as if he been intruded, did he already read his deepest thoughts? Did he already knew what lay in his mind? He wasn’t quite sure what to do with this information. He had come across a few mind readers in his days, but he had kept his distance from them, not wanting them to know, what he had hidden for so many years. His hand briefly brushed up against his chest, where the scar laid from eons ago.
“Congratulations for you,” Dedrallow said underneath his breath, “that can be dangerous you know. People don’t like their thoughts to be pried, ya’know.”
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 12, 2013 13:56:23 GMT -5
Both fear and a rare feeling of power welled up inside the banshee. He had something that this strange man couldn't do and that made him feel both secure and frightened. Dedrallow seemed to recoil and Cassander got the sense that he was much like a wounded badger being backed into a corner right now and Cassander feared for his safety, but then, he had done that since he laid eyes on the changeling.
It was strange, hearing such words of warning coming from what appeared to be his own mouth. He stared at himself. He was skinny enough, he supposed, and he was taller than he remembered. Even though he felt like he was far from being overweight, his body was gangly and awkward: like a colt with two much leg. His neck was too long, giving him the appearance of a giraffe...not that Cassander had ever seen a giraffe in person, but he had read about them.
"I can read your mind, if you like." He said, casually, by way of making conversation. Maybe it would make Dedrallow feel less threatened, if Cassander implied that he wouldn't delve into his mind without permission.
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Post by Dedrallow Omen on Jun 12, 2013 17:09:42 GMT -5
Dedrallow folded his arms together when he suggested that he read his mind for him. He wasn’t quite sure what that was supposed to mean…was that some small hint to let Dedrallow know that he in fact did not read his mind? Dedrallow figured that even if he had, he wasn’t about to spill the beans now. Dedrallow however wasn’t quite sure what to do with that information. It wasn’t really as if the things that laid in his mind was something that haunted him daily. He was a changling, there was one fact in that matter, and he did spend a good portion of his life sneaking children away.
“Alright…” Dedrallow finally breathed in. “But, don’t do anything fishy…and be aware were you are going. Entering in the mind of a 600 year old changling…once you look you can’t un do it.” He only said this because he sensed fear in the boy and he figured the threat would cause him to keep his mouth threat or venture with caution. It wasn’t as if it was a lie though, there was blood all over Dedrallow’s hands. He had lived numerous lives and had a million sins scratched across the surface. This boy seemed innocence, everything that he knew he read, Dedrallow wondered if he really knew what he was getting into.
“I’m ready.” Dedrallow finally said.
((FYI: I don’t care what Cassander finds out when he reads Dedrallow’s mind. ))
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Post by Cassander Tuireann on Jun 12, 2013 22:17:24 GMT -5
With an uneasy smile, Cassander took a step forward and stared into Dedrallow's--into his own eyes. It was strange, gazing into the blue eyes that were his own and yet not his own. Whatever. He couldn't afford to let this cost him his concentration. He blinked and then delved deep into Dedrallow's mind.
At first, he couldn't see anything, but that was to be expected--he hadn't had anyone to practice on in awhile. He groped, blindly, searching for anything. And then, he saw it: a newborn in its crib, sunshine flowing into its nursery. Then there were footsteps and the infant was snapped up and suddenly, he was staring up at the ceiling. Out of nowhere, an enormous adult head appeared over him.
Cassander jolted out of the memory, and once again, he found himself staring at...himself. He took another hurried deep breath and dove back in.
This time, he saw Dedrallow's memory in the third person: he saw a young girl, a brunette with blue eyes and flowers in her air, running around on spring grass. Without warning, she shifted into a rabbit and hopped away. It was the only memory Cassander liked, for she--he realized that at one point Dedrallow must have been female,and that puzzled him, slightly. He didn't have the time to pull it over, however, as his attention was diverted a disturbing memory. It was a vampire, a woman, her fangs out, bloody. She drew back, a knife in hand, and stapped the now-adult, male Dedrallow in the chest. Dedrallow let out a blood-curling yell and at the same time, Cassander let out a squeal of shock.
He came out of it, blinking rapidly and shaking his head, trying to clear his mind. When he spoke, his voice shook.
"Those were memories." He pointed out. After minute, he bought up the topic he was curious about. "You started as a girl?"
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