Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 24, 2015 14:15:01 GMT -5
The New Guinean countryside was beautiful. Green and natural, it held a certain primordial charm, reminiscent of how much of the world must've looked at some point. A charm that the world's great industrialized cities and nations often lacked. Gram enjoyed the progress and convenience that such cities offered, viewing them as symbols of human advancement, but occasionally he desired to enjoy the world's more natural beauties.
The young man was in country on vacation, planning to visit an old friend who'd saved his life some time ago. Nate wasn't the nicest of people, his actions were often self motivated and could occasionally hurt innocents, but he never forgot a debt that he owed. And owing someone his life was a debt that Gram could neither forget nor ever completely repay.
The two of them had first met in Ireland. Nate had emerged from the wilderness, stumbling upon a farm house after being chased for some miles by a group of supernaturals that would eventually go on to hunt him all the way to Alexandria, Egypt. Chaltah had been in that farm house along with her dragon companion and they'd saved his life. It wouldn't be the first time as the three of them would eventually travel to Egypt together in search of an ancient scroll, where the two ended up pulling him out of the fire yet again.
Nate was currently being driven to a natural atrium in some little part of the country that he wasn't even sure had a name. That was where he would be meeting with her. It seemed peaceful enough and was practically on the other side of the world from where they'd first me.
Once he'd arrived, Gram began to notice a respectably sized crowd of people gathered around something or someone. Curious, he drew closer to the sound of music.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 24, 2015 14:56:30 GMT -5
It had been a normal day like any other. Spending time with some of the locals from around the area and getting to know some of the customs that came with the area. She hadn't been expecting to be sought out by anyone outside her normal realm of the country. She had come here to enjoy the more primal side to the earth, to get away from the hassle of the encroaching city life. That just wasn't for her or her friend Starpounder. But she had somehow been found out by Nathaniel Gram, a man who she had traveled with to exotic lands to help him obtain a scroll that seemed to have changed both their lives. Granted her's didn't change so much except for the matter of how supernaturals took sides in a war against the more mortal races.
She had come to the atrium here to sing her songs and enjoy the sounds of the wild animals around her. She also had managed to inadvertently brought some nearby villagers toward the place as well by her singing. She and her partner, looking like a human with brown hair and green eyes, were currently in a chorus of a song singing about a sailing vessel that had traveled the worlds waters and experienced many a wonder and perils on the way. It was a good time and she enjoyed the peoples laughter and claps as they went on.
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 24, 2015 20:53:33 GMT -5
When he saw her, Nate smiled. Of course Chaltah and her companion were the ones who'd drawn the crowd. But if the young man was being honest, he had to admit that he hadn't known the two of them were musically talented.
Chaltah and dragon had saved his life but Gram knew hardly anything about them. Sure, he knew where they lived and that they were a draconian and dragon bonded pair, but Nate didn't know the personal things. Who they were, what made them... Well, them.
They were singing a song about sailing. A song of adventure. When it ended, the people clapped and Nate was among them. It had been a good performance.
Once the crowd had cleared, Gram would approach the two of them with a greeting. He ran one hand through his messy blond hair. The youth was dressed in dark jeans and a plain maroon t-shirt, a pair of aviator sunglasses tucked into the neck.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 24, 2015 21:04:17 GMT -5
Chaltah and Starpounder thanked the people for their time, a few offered her something in lieu of her performance, some bread and a few bits of food that they could provide. Some even gave her a little money of which she thanked them. Her attention soon turns as the crowd parts to smile at Nathaniel as he approached the pair and give him a wave in greeting, beckoning him over "Well hello stranger. What brings you to these parts?" Starpounder gave a nod and a smile as he sat next to his companion, still ever watchful as they sat there. She offers up some of the meal that had been given to her to Starpounder then breaks off a piece of bread to offer to Gram "Hungry?"
Once everything was in order and the crowds gone for the day, she stands and brushes off her clothing as Starpounder grabbed up their pack and shouldered it "So what's up Gram? Another adventure awaiting?" she teases as she starts walking back toward the town.
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 24, 2015 22:13:46 GMT -5
The crowds parted and Nate could see Chaltah wave him over so he began to make his way. Several people gave the pair money for their performance. Gram considered tossing a few bucks in himself, but decided not to. They were pals of his, not street performers. It would feel too weird.
"A little a this, a little of that," Nate responded with a smile when she greeted him. He accepted the piece of bread offered with a thanks. Gram wasn't feeling all that hungry, but it was rude to reject a gift when offered. "I swear I'm not stalking the two of you, by the way. Just taking a vacation from the manufactured world for a bit, enjoying New Guinea's beautiful beaches."
He tasted the piece of bread she'd given him. It was tasty, though it made him a little thirsty. "Mm. No new adventures for me, just yet. I'm recently returned from venturing into the depths of Mt. Olympus with a bunch of weirdos. Got some stuff in the works though." Gram popped the rest of his bread into his open mouth.
"What's new with you two?" The young man asked with a smile, once he'd consumed the morsel.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 24, 2015 23:49:42 GMT -5
Chaltah grins and nods offering him a drink of her canteen "Sounds interesting. I've never been to Mount Olympus myself. But I've looked at it while flying from above. Seems like an interesting place. A place that would be full of lore and mystery I'm sure." she comments as she takes a bite of her own piece of bread.
"This place is closer to home for me. The nature of it sings of the power nature holds over the land. Granted the humans aren't as keen to it as we are but at least the people here hold a certain respect for it" was Starpounder's reply as he brought up the rear, his eyes scanning the lush green landscape for any sign of trouble "I am glad there aren't any supers chasing you this time"he says with a chuckle
"As am I. Life just hasn't been the same since our little trip. I've learned that this conflict between the supernaturals and humans is a rather long one and not all of the supers are united in a single cause" was Chaltah's reply
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 25, 2015 13:40:32 GMT -5
The young man accepted the canteen and had a brief drink before handing it back, thanking her. The refreshing sip was just what he'd needed to wash the bread down.
Gram shrugged. "The secret entrance was pretty cool. No visible hinges or mechanisms but it opened with complete silence and when it was closed you couldn't tell there was a door there at all. It was probably magical but I like to think humans aren't the only ones with a basic grasp of the sciences. Other than that, it was a long while of walking and sleeping in a boring old cave system, mostly."
Starpounder spoke and Nate couldn't help but chuckle at that last part. "No one's more relieved than I," he added.
"What've you learned?" Gram asked, curiosity getting the better of him when Chal mentioned conflict between humans and supes. It made him curious because he hadn't thought to look into humanities recorded histories and myths for confrontations between them and supes.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 25, 2015 14:38:09 GMT -5
"Very little I'm afraid" she admits "It's hard to get anyone to talk about anything when either they don't know or if they're hiding the truth to keep the humans from knowing more than they need to" she takes a drink from the canteen once more before putting it away. "But it is amazing to see just how ignorant the world is to its inhabitants"
"You were the same way before we met Chaltah" Stormpounder teased his rider. "Though I think there are few humans that would really like to accept that they aren't the top of the list when it comes to superior races which is why I believe them to be openly ignorant of the supers around them"
"You do have a point Starpounder." she shoots him a glance of fake annoyance before looking back to Gram "Perhaps you could take us there some time. I like spelunking myself and it sounds like a good adventure. And as I said, I've never been"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 25, 2015 15:04:54 GMT -5
Gram was a little disappointed they didn't have any new information to give him, but that was okay. Half the fun was in doing the research yourself.
"To be fair," Gram began, after Starpounder said that humans weren't at the top of the list when it came to superior races. "There are some six billion odd humans living on this planet, doing whatever they want, while supes are few and in hiding, often being hunted down by their own kind when they threaten to lift the veil of secrecy the supes have been living under for millennia."
The young man popped an altoid into his mouth. He'd grown rather fond of peppermint lately. "And that's if the humans don't get to them first. So who's to say the humans aren't right? Ignorant, but not necessarily entirely wrong." Nate recalled the dozen or so bodies he'd been studying lately, a couple that hadn't passed until put under the knife for vivisection. He was a very curious boy.
Chaltah suggested that maybe Gram could take them to Mt Olympus sometime. The young man supposed that it probably would be more fun spelunking with pals. "I guess we could go sometime. The door should still be open. I'm not entirely sure what dangers may lurk within, though. Could get messy."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 25, 2015 16:11:13 GMT -5
Chaltah listens to Gram talk about the numbers of people to supernaturals and nods in agreement "Just because there are so many humans doesn't mean that you are superior" she gives him a light nudge. "But you sure act like it" she says playfully. Starpounder simply grunts at the comment as they walk along "But in all honesty why murder them? It may be this reason that there is a veil between us all" she gives a shrug
"Talking about this out in the open is not a good idea Chaltah. There's no telling who might be listening" Starpounder speaks up "As your friend there has claimed supernaturals are hunted by these humans as well. And I frankly don't want to be a head on someones wall."
Chaltah grimaces at the thought of a dragon being stuffed and mounted somewhere in some big game hunter's room. "That makes two of us my friend"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 25, 2015 22:43:50 GMT -5
Nate leapt to his feet and puffed out his chest. Staring off into the distance, he struck a heroic pose with his fists at his waist. "Nathaniel Gram the third! A superior being!" he said jokingly with a small laugh before resuming his normal stance. "Has a nice ring to it."
Starpounder expressed concern about discussing supernatural matters in the open. In response, Gram shrugged. He didn't want the dragon to feel uncomfortable but there weren't exactly very many people within earshot of their conversation.
"I have to say. I'd pity the hunter who was foolish enough to make the attempt at mounting you as trophy, Star." Such a silly individual would most likely end up as the dragon's next meal. Or maybe the hunter would just in up pieces. Gram wasn't sure whether or not the dragon occasionally indulged in more sentient meats. "But sure, let's take this party somewhere more private if you'd feel more comfortable."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 26, 2015 22:06:20 GMT -5
Chaltah laughs as Gram puts on his display about his 'status'. "Gram you are rather good at that. Have you ever thought about taking up a career in acting?" she smiles at the man though it fades a bit at the mention of potential hunters possibly trying to take out her companion. Actually, it is more common than you think. Though recently there have been no dragons that the human world is aware of to hunt. But back in the dark ages, also known as the medieval times when knights were out to make names for themselves, they would hunt and kill dragons on a regular basis. Now as to how many of the stories are myth or truth is still in question but there are always people who want to make names for themselves in any way possible. Sometimes it comes by killing dragons, though in this day in age it's usually defined by courses of actions."
Starpounder sighs softly as they talk about such a grim fact, but says nothing more on the matter. They finally reach the small city where Chaltah and Starpounder were staying during their visit here in New Guinea, a few people wave to her as they pass by.
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 29, 2015 9:41:59 GMT -5
"I'm just a nerd. The richest and most intelligent of nerds, but still a nerd. I wouldn't make a very good killer robot sent back from the future to kill Sarah Connor." The young man shrugged sheepishly when Chaltah asked if he'd considered a career in acting.
It was only really the sciences that interested him. Gram desired to invent new, game changing technology, crack the human genetic code and learn how to modify it at will and with impudence, and alter materials in ways that defied logic. All these things he could do. Nate was, after all, a genius.
They talked about dragon hunting throughout human myth and history as they walked and the young man scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I'd never really thought about things from the perspective of the dragons." Gram didn't feel too bad for them, though. Being flying carnivorous lizards the young man wouldn't have been surprised to hear that people were once their favorite snack.
Upon reaching the small city where Chal and dragon were staying, the young man asked "Are you two going to be in town long?"
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Sept 29, 2015 16:53:23 GMT -5
"Dragons did have a rough go in the past. It's why you don't see them in public. AT least not in their true form." Chaltah explains "I'm just glad that Starpounder was able to find me in this day in age." she looks at the town as they approach it before answering Gram's question "we usually pick a place and visit there during the winter. We could be here til spring or so. Though we might make another trip to somewhere else close by but not for a few weeks yet" She and Starpounder continue toward the town "We have a room in the only hotel in town. Luckily this is the slow season" she says with a laugh, Starpounder rolls his eyes but says nothing for the moment "The rooms are decent though a bit simple which is fine with me. If you are dependant on wifi though this isn't the place for you"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Sept 30, 2015 20:42:52 GMT -5
"How do dragon and human pairs meet and form a draconian duo, exactly?" The young man asked curiously. He wondered if it was some magical force that brought them together or something else.
From what Gram could tell, the human halves of a draconian pair seemed fairly normal. He hadn't met very many, but none of them seemed possessed of any magical abilities other than the apparent ability to communicate telepathically. He didn't understand it yet, but he'd like to.
"After my recent stay in a dank cave with a bunch of strangers, lack of wifi isn't exactly a deal breaker in my book. Least, not anymore anyways. How's the farm been doing?"
New Guinea was beautiful and awfully serene compared to the big cities of north America, but the young man was quickly learning that there wasn't a whole lot to do if you weren't too interested in just soaking it all in.
"You two been on any adventures without me lately?"
