[center][h3]-[color=aba000]Sorcha[/color] & [color=f26522]Lukas[/color] : Moral Horizon-[/h3]

[color=662d91]“Sorcha, I swear to whatever gods you believe in-”[/color] Livia’s voice was interrupted by Sorcha’s.

[color=aba000]“Livia I’m fine.”[/color] The dragon huffed from where she laid on the bed. Her wounds from the fight had mostly been healed, though from the fact she was running a pretty high fever and her voice sounded like it was forced, she was obviously still not in the best of shape.

[color=662d91]“That’s not the point, you stubborn old lizard.”[/color] Livia reprimanded harshly. [color=662d91]“Or did you just want death by combat?”[/color]

[color=aba000]“Livia. I am fine.”[/color] Sorcha replied again, a bit more sternly this time. Livia sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead as she looked at her friend from where she sat at the end of the bed.

[color=662d91]“You don’t realize how close you were to dying, were you?”[/color] Livia replied. [color=662d91]“If I had been just a few seconds later, there would have been no bringing you back. Poof! Gone! Body and soul burned into oblivion.”[/color] Sorcha just sighed, offering Livia a small smile.

[color=aba000]“But I didn’t, Liv.”[/color] She replied. [color=aba000]“So please, I’m fine. Go host this year’s ball or whatever. You have better things to do than worry about a foolish old lizard.”[/color] This earned another sigh from Livia, who rose from her seat and shook her head.

[color=662d91]“Sorcha, just be more careful next time. I know this was probably fun for you, but please try to use that head of yours next time. I know you are better than that.”[/color] Sorcha simply offered the woman a somewhat tired smile, just as someone waltzed in. Livia turned her head to the intruder. She recognized him immediately. Lukas, the boy who Sorcha wished to train. No doubt he had seen the fight then. He was likely here for some reason or another, but she wouldn’t pry at the moment.

[color=662d91]“You must be Lukas.”[/color] Livia greeted him with a friendly smile. [color=662d91]“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, though I must say, you have my condolences.”[/color] She laughed quietly. [color=662d91]“Being Sorcha’s plaything cannot be easy.”[/color] Her more serious expression donned on her face as she finished. 

[color=662d91]“I won’t bother you for long – I must go to the ball and make a few announcements. And don’t worry about the dragon. Sorcha is doing well, though I would insist you let her rest.”[/color]

As Lukas entered the infirmary, the teen was greeted by the headmistress herself... which wasn't all surprising, considering that a few minutes ago, she warped herself and the dragon to this building. The rest of his items followed suit, entering one by one, like soldiers marching in formation. Nodding to the headmistress, he gave the woman a solemn smile, continuing towards the two bodies. [color=f26522]"It's a pleasure to meet you Headmistress Livia,"[/color] speaking softly as he eyed the ailing Sorcha.

Plaything? Well, that was one way to address him as her voice took a turn, becoming a bit stern in the process. Of course, the process of being learned was no easy steps, especially with some of Sorchas more... playful qualities. Of course, she requested him to not worry before stating she had business elsewhere. [color=f26522]"Sorry, but I wouldn't come all this way if I wasn't worried; besides, I told Lady Sorcha I would support... mainly through silent cheering, I might add,"[/color] he chuckled lightly, trying to avoid musing over the prior events.

[color=f26522]"I won't do much to rouse her, promise, she needs her time to recover, especially after that hellish fight."[/color] Hellish was one way to describe it, since he too would of been dragged to his own plausible doom if this all continued. Using his mind, he set the rest of his items on the few chairs that were accessible by students, still keeping his focus on the duo.

[color=f26522]"If you don't mind, Headmistress Livia, could I have permission to stay here for the time being? I understand I can't do much at the time being, but can I just be there for her, please,"[/color] he looked, almost pleadingly in his eyes. His smile wasn't lingering, but it was replaced by a bittersweet visage. He meant what he said. [color=f26522]"I mean, I did say I would support her."[/color]

Livia seemed rather surprised by Lukas’ statement as a small smile crossed her features.

[color=662d91]“My, Lukas,”[/color] she chuckled, hiding her mouth behind a hand as she spoke. [color=662d91]“You certainly are worried about her, then.”[/color] She continued before giving a small sigh and shaking her head, her voice becoming much quieter – almost as though as if she didn’t wish Sorcha to hear.

[color=662d91]“Please, make sure she doesn’t kill herself one of these days.”[/color] Livia continued. [color=662d91]“In my twenty years of knowing her, she’s still as stubborn as ever. She can often…get in over her head, such as…well, you saw what happened.”[/color] With that said, she offered Lukas a small smile.

[color=662d91]“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”[/color] She walked past Lukas, leaving the dragon and Lukas to do whatever it was they wanted.

Sorcha, was resting on the bed, her eyes closed as Livia left.

[color=aba000]“Lukas?”[/color] She called out. [color=aba000]“Hmm…I would ask what you are doing here, but I believe I already know. I do not need your concern, I am fine.”[/color]

Lukas ears perked as he intently listened to Livia, he gave a light nod, acknowledging that facet. He didn't just see as much - he heard as much, the information that Livia gave him. [color=f26522][i]"I... I understand. I don't know what I can do to keep her from delving to much into a battle like that, but I'll uphold that promise, somehow."[/i][/color] Regardless, he gave a weak smile to the Headmistress who spoke about attending business. Turning his head to address the woman for a brief moment, he gave her one last comment.

[color=f26522]"Have a good night, Headmistress."[/color]

With that said, she disappeared through the door, leaving two bodies to the infirmary. Turning his gaze over to the still woman, Lukas walked forward towards the bed. Glancing over the dragon, he listened to her, telling him not to concern himself. [color=f26522]"Wow, wanting to get rid of me that badly? I'm hurt."[/color] A small chuckle was elicited from the boy to mask some of the pain he was feeling, giving the recovering dragon a grin.

Looking her down from claws to horns, his whole demeanor changed a bit, almost as if he was a depressed individual. [color=f26522]"You can choose to say that, m'lady, but regardless, I will still worry for your safekeeping, especially after that battle."[/color] Scratching the side of his face, he glared at the wall, looking away from the dragon as he continued on. [color=f26522]"... still, if I didn't care about you I probably wouldn't be displaying some concern for your state, nor departed for this place."[/color]

[color=f26522]"... so please, let me stay by your side, show you support through my presence; I honestly don't know what I could do, but I at least want to show I'll be there for you."[/color] Forcing a smile, Lukas looked at her face, musing over myriads of things. This whole day was truly a rush of cacophonous excitement, weaving through thorns and brooks alike. 

Sorcha sighed, shaking her head, a frown forming on her lip as he spoke. She didn’t want to get rid of him. She didn’t want to hear him say exactly what he was saying. She didn’t need support. She wasn’t as weak as to crumble so easily from such a duel. She was alive, and she’d get better given a few days of rest. That was that, nothing more.

[color=aba000]“Lukas, I said don’t.”[/color] She replied sharply. [color=aba000]“I do not need anyone’s pity, worry, or concern. Or do you think me so weak as to crumble from such a fight?”[/color] She narrowed her eyes at him as she continued to speak. [color=aba000]“It is fine to be worried for your comrades and friends, but to treat me as a delicate flower, is an insult.”[/color] She gave a mildly annoyed huff before continuing.

[color=aba000]“If you wish to keep me company while I recover, that is fine. But I will not be having you fawning over me like some injured puppy.”[/color]

He could only ponder on if that came out wrong seeing as he irked the recovering Sorcha. That familiar smile transformed into a more remorseful frown over his choice of words. 

[color=f26522]"Trust me, I understand that you are far from being a delicate flower..."[/color] Tapping his lip for a moment, Lukas was searching for the right words as he was fairly certain that they both screwed up somewhere since she misread his comments and what he said annoyed her. [color=f26522]"I know you're very combat savvy, harboring skill and strength alone, so apologies for having that come out incorrectly, should of just requested if I could keep you company instead of going into a convoluted explanation that just... complicated my message."[/color]

Staring at the floor for a moment, Lukas knew he shouldn't linger over the waver question, as it would probably reach the point where Sorcha would question if something on his mind, or make claims that he was fawning over her like an injured animal. Keeping a stoic visage, his fire transcended into coals, much like the spar from a few days ago. [color=f26522]"While I am worried about your well being, it's more centered around a thorn in your side that's been plaguing you years before I was ever conceived - a curse meant to sap your life if you pushed yourself past certain limits."[/color]

[color=f26522]"If it's ok, could you tell me more about this curse?"[/color]

Sorcha sighed. His love for talking aside, she knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid the topic forever. It was being told quite a bit sooner than she would have liked, but plans rarely ever went as they should. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to tell Lukas about it, since they were likely going to be seeing a lot of each other in the next coming months, and it would be a thing they would have to get around to eventually.

[color=aba000]“Take a seat, then, My Little fool.”[/color] She said, motioning towards the edge of the bed. [color=aba000]“As I said the other night…tis a long tale, going back to the time before even the first of the crusades. I was just a teenager, back then. A foolish dragon who pillaged and plundered for her own amusement, until a certain someone came along and taught her better.”[/color] She sighed as some of the old memories surfaced. Her meeting the phoenix, healing her after her fight with Beowulf.

Those were…good times, indeed, looking back on it. The dragon shook her head, however. Those memories were…a bit too painful sometimes, so she waited for the human to take a seat before she continued her story.

Looks like he was going to get tidbits of information about this curse; maybe if he procured enough, he would get to see Sorcha in her true radiance when no longer inhibited. As the woman beckoned him to the side of the bed, he nodded slowly, taking his seat at the side of the infirmary's bed. His attention was in full, his eyes all set on the dragon as he awaited to spin him a tale of how this all came to be - no comments from him, just knowledge passed on and pure, undulated silence from him with a mere solemn expression.

[color=aba000]“You may have already guessed,”[/color] Sorcha continued as he took a seat on the bed. [color=aba000]“But said person was the Phoenix. Her name was Irasacha, back then. The same who cursed me all those years later.”[/color] She sighed, a tinge of anger appearing in her voice as she spoke. She tried to keep herself relatively calm, however. Getting worked up would be rather bad in her current state.

[color=aba000]“She took an arrogant, haughty dragon who knew nothing of the world outside of her own home and limited mindset and turned her into a Grand Dragon that one day was a protector of a small city…as insignificant such an event was in the grand scheme of history. Even the history books won’t tell the tale, or have remorse for those who were murdered that day.”[/color] She bitterly laughed at the statement, looking at the bed with a glare.

[color=aba000]“But I’m getting ahead of myself, a little.”[/color] She continued with a sigh, her gaze softening as she looked back at Lukas.

[color=f26522][i]"Irasacha, eh? I'll be sure to commit that to memory,"[/i][/color] Lukas thought, storing that in the vault of memories. Irasacha, Irasacha, Irasacha... alright, so at most, the phoenix is a creature that goes through a cosmic reincarnation, birthing, living, dying, rebirth. Lukas kept his stoic expression, comprehending word after word, emotion after emotion... but something tugged at his heart. Lukas' attention was snagged at her harsh chuckle. It elicited an uncomfortable frown from the boy, thinking back on that other day as he stared at the dragons chest.

Try as they might, he could decipher that neither of them had moved on from a painful event that caused them mere grief... Lukas honestly never expected something like that, but he continued, listening as the ephemeral time trickled away..

[color=aba000]“We traveled together for quite a while, in that incarnation of hers. We were quite close friends. If it wasn’t for her, I would never have received this Glaive from Merlin. It was a gift from both him and Arthur, before he was killed by Mordred.”[/color] She smiled as she recalled both of those people. Certainly Arthur had always been rather cold to her – but she never hated him. He was the pinnacle of skill she hoped to aspire to when she was a child. In the end though, it seemed he always regretted treating her more like a tool than actual companion.[color=aba000] “Ah…but another story for another time.”[/color]

She hadn’t sat and actually told a story quite like this in some time. Not since…well, the events of that day. She used to quite often spin tales of heroic exploits to children in the village.

[color=aba000]“Sometime, though…we parted ways.”[/color] She continued, shaking her head. [color=aba000]“I will not go into detail, but for a few years I traveled alone. A dragon, wandering without a home. I had picked up a certain wanderlust in my time with the Irasacha. I traveled the world for a few years after that. I even dined with Odin in the halls of Valhalla. Thor showed me his hammer quite often in those days~”[/color] She giggled a little bit at that, indicating that may or may not have had a bit more there than just a friendship. [color=aba000]“Hm…I should really visit him. I haven’t seen him in quite some time…”[/color] she commented off handedly, before continuing.

As the recesses of history continued, Lukas ears perked up over the tale of where she procured that illustrious glaive of hers. Honestly, ever since Lukas set eyes on that, he wished for something so refined as that... but yet, it seemed the chance of garnering such a thing was beyond his years... meh, a thought for another day. [color=f26522][i]"So she was friends with the one who betrayed her, eh? This can honestly mean one of two things - either Sorcha went up against a reincarnation of Irasacha, or the previous iteration was retained but for some reason she took up blade and magic against an old friend. Hum..."[/i][/color]

Eventually Lukas turned his head back to the dragons face as she spoke over how she took up the reigns of being a trailblazer, journeying from one estate to the next, befriending gods and legends. Of course, this humorously made Lukas a bit envious of a friggin' god. [color=f26522][i]"Great, so I have to compare with a living legend like him?"[/i][/color] Lukas tilted his head the other way, his lips moving in a wave like fashion, whilst staying mainly in a frown.

What did he even amount to in her eyes?

[color=f26522][i]"... no, I won't be so easily dissuaded by stuff such as this."[/i][/color]

Well, determination was always a thing... plus, he considered the more literal fashion of it, though it leaned more towards the former.

[color=aba000]“After some time though, I came across a rather…poor village a little ways south of the baltic sea.”[/color] She paused for a moment before continuing. [color=aba000]“They were beset by a rather…nasty mage. I don’t know his name, but he had brought a plague to them. He kept them alive, but only for his twisted experiments. They begged me to kill him, offering their eternal loyalty should I.”[/color]

[color=aba000]“I said yes, though I would have probably done it without the offer of their loyalty. I wasn’t one to babysit humans back then. I ended up killing the mage, and they instated me as their god-queen, as…crazy as it sounds, but I certainly couldn’t refuse. I may have been a lot less prideful and arrogant, but the title of ‘god-queen’ was just a little too alluring to pass up.”[/color] She chuckled.

[color=aba000]“For the next few hundred years I watched over the city. It grew prosperous under my watch. Indeed, if it was around today it could have been one of the greatest cities around. I’m sure of it.”[/color] Her light demeanor took a more serious, solemn turn as she ended the sentence and continued. [color=aba000]“I was…betrayed by the phoenix, unfortunately.”[/color] A bit of anger returned to her voice as she spoke.

As the tale was weaved, Lukas was still ensnared by the words, no matter how short they were. Eventually, she spoke of a village and a wicked mage who performed less than moral experiments. Slaying the beast, she was crowned god-queen. God-queen, eh? Well, she was up there with the gods since she dined in Valhalla... Either way, she mentioned a city over in the Mediterranean that would of ascended to expand and possibly form something greater. She was the graceful goddess that safeguarded the lands... but that expression... Lukas' slightly jealous expression melted with her happiness.

The impending betrayal of the Phoenix. Lukas could seldom glimpse over the horizon, imagining the city, knowing what was going to possibly happen next. It was like a horror movie, except this was much more gruesome and deliberately frightening; no mere facade of a movie could replicate true horrors. Staying silent, his visage was still, brought down into a frown, as was the mood of the situation.

[color=aba000]“I had attempted to reconnect with my old friend, but she wanted nothing to do with me anymore. That was fine. It…hurt…but we had been out of contact for a while, and I could understand it. She sided with those Christian Crusaders anyways. Couldn’t very well associate with a pagan such as I, could she?”[/color] She growled.

[color=aba000]“I thought her honorable. I thought she would leave me alone. Leave my people alone. They were innocent of any crimes. They were…just innocent…men…women…Children I even played with sometimes.”[/color] She gripped the edge of the bed as anger filled her even more.

[color=aba000]“But the crusaders came, and everyone died. I was helpless to save a single one. I thought she was innocent. I wanted to believe it, but it couldn’t have been anyone else. For the next three hundred or so years I searched for her. I wanted her to face me, but the coward refused, but I finally cornered her in what is today North America. We clashed, but the harlot refused to fight me fairly, and instead…cursed me.”[/color] She finished, falling silent for moments as she finished her little personal history lesson.

[color=aba000]“I slept for…almost six hundred years after that, the curse slowly eating away at my very being. If the headmistress hadn’t found me and eased the curse, I would likely still be suffering in my home.”[/color] Her tale finished, she gave Lukas a mournful expression as her anger left her. She was exhausted, and simply wished to sleep at this point. [color=aba000]“Does that satisfy your curiosity, Lukas? Because I am…I could use some sleep.”[/color]

Lukas was enthralled by this all, in a more or less irritated way. Slaughtering innocents because of what they believed it. He never enjoyed certain people in history who persecuted another for their beliefs... and such as it was, there was wonder in why an immortal being would side with the crusaders. Sorcha did mention said person fancied herself a god a couple of eves ago... which meant that's what she saw herself as when siding with the Crusaders from what he scrutinized... which begged to wonder why? Why would she perform such a feat as taking the side of those who would slaughter innocents who refused Christianity?

Even though the Phoenix betrayed her, Lukas couldn't help but ponder on another truth that Sorcha failed to see - only what was in front of her and said... maybe it was hopeless to figure out, especially since there was a one in a billion chance a Phoenix would suddenly drop on Montagne's doorsteps... like, really. The odds were not in his favor.

Anyways...

As he listened, he noticed the woman flaring up as she spoke of the innocents, ones who had no reason to be murdered. Lukas closed his eyes, seeing the whole thing transpire - the children being hacked into gory bits, men and women beheaded, the tops razed, and a mournful dragon standing amidst the rubble. Of course, he inferred this, and of course, his assessment wasn't incorrect as the tale was at its climax.

A person who caused pain to another by taking away life that another truly loved... while the ones he cared for were dwarfed by the many, Lukas couldn't help but sympathize for her. He went back to that singular day, his own rage, that one mission. How does one mend a broken heart? Who would know? Regardless, he slid his face down, trying to stay stalwart.

Two sides of him tugged, one agreeing with her in that task to end the life of an undying soul, one speaking to him, saying there had to be more... there had to be. Not everything was explained, detailing why or how; he had one side of a ducat, but the other, non amie. Regardless Lukas sided with the protagonist, in hot pursuit of her rival, but alas, snared by a curse. Must of been genre savvy enough to pull off a feat like that... but not genre savvy enough to consider the consequences of an encounter between the two in a future meeting. Dragons lived for quite some time, and to be quite fair, Sorcha looked to be in her twenties to him. She had more than enough time to hunt her down.

As the tale concluded, Sorcha expressed her fatigue, making more of a statement over her wishing to delve into the land of sleep. A few final words from him as a smile arose from the depths of his being. [color=f26522]"I guess I'll have to thank Headmaster Livia for that then, because otherwise we wouldn't of met... welp, time to up the passion times two or three! Working hard, me and... er, me for now, I guess... eheh."[/color] Lukas spoke a bit too enthusiastically with a widened smile on his face, with a small giggle. Sure, he was hurting, but he wasn't going to be consumed by that sadness.

Sliding off the bed, he stopped his chant, softening himself up to more tender measures. [color=f26522]"I can take a hint, my Radiant Sun; my thirst has been satiated for now, the course set. Have sweet dreams, Lady Sorcha, I'll be sure to bring something to the table on our next session!~"[/color] With that said, he walked away, his back turned to the dragon... before abruptly stopping, and turning around pouting. [color=f26522]"And no, it isn't just food."[/color]

With that said, the smile came once more, taking one of the few free seats as he removed the equipment from his torso, setting them on the pile of clothes and hangers. Muttering one last thing to himself, he was a bit more contrite, bent over. Whether or not she heard it, he didn't know, though he prayed it was the latter.

[color=f26522]"Was hoping you would be my date for the ball once the match was over...[sub] then again, [sub] you might [sub] have just [sub] said..."[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/color]

Lukas said a couple of other things, but it would possibly go unchecked as he began polishing each of the four conductors.[/center]