Vodius

{Vodius} The Dragon Egg {Dragon princess}

Kendrick unslung the royal scepter from his back, catching it with one hand as the tines on its head charged with a blue-white energy that filled the air around them with the smell of ozone. He kept silent, but followed the dragon's lead, making way back to the camp; thankfully, most everyone had already packed up in preparation to leave. A few attendants were waiting and approached with his mount, "Your grace," they said respectfully.

The prince hopped up into the saddle, one hand taking hold of the reins, the other still gripping the scepter, "We're leaving. On the double." The servants nodded and made a quick pace towards the rest of the followers to inform them and get moving. Kendrick offered Sykia a hand up to sit behind him, "What's the trouble?"

Steampunk Pirates (Voduis and Megara)

Sebastian smirked, offering the woman a nod, "Glad to hear it." He offered her a little wave on the way out, chided himself for looking like a child at a new school in the hallway, and pressed onward toward the main deck. The gait of the ship was smooth and steady, even at full steam. He was worried that his seasickness might pop up, or that he might slip at some inopportune time and break something, but thankfully his steps were sure and steady as he made his first appearance in front of most of the common crew. Taking a place at the rear of the throng, he kept quiet, just waiting to hear the captain and first mate as they did their duties.

Steampunk Pirates (Voduis and Megara)

Sebastian couldn't meet her gaze, he knew that his answer wasn't the one she was looking for. "I'm here to be a free man. To design and build what I want to. If I have to fight for it, I will. I'm better looking down a barrel than a blade and I'd rather not have to draw either, but not afraid to, if I have to." The young man wondered if he should have just lied and said he was here for the money.

{Vodius} The Dragon Egg {Dragon princess}

Kendrick gave her another approving nod, "Good, just see that you keep a low profile once we reach the palace. No one can know about your... Real form. It is forbidden, even for a prince, to have contact with a dragon." He let her depart without further delay, preparing the meal to roast on the nearby fires. After some time, he did follow her trail to join her on the riverbank, having washed and changed into his usual riding leather, the royal scepter slung across his back casually.

"Our meeting... I think it best if you pose as my tutor in the arcane. I should warn you, I haven't a bit of skill at it, but the need for an education in theory should be more than enough to satisfy anyone's curiosity about it... Including my father's, the king's. We met by happenstance on this little expedition, and you offered your services as my teacher, no?" he asked immediately upon approaching, not even bothering to greet her.

Steampunk Pirates (Voduis and Megara)

Sebastian cleared his throat, almost choking when the woman spoke to him, it seemed his years spent in a workshop left him ill prepared for social niceties. "Yes, I'm Sebastian Benzie, engineer, among other things." He wiped his hand on his coat and offered it out to her, smiling widely enough to push his cheeks up. "I can't say I have much of a story, I needed a job and my professor pointed me in your direction... When I mentioned I didn't much care for the thought of being some dog for the military, that is." The young man let out a small sigh and took another bite of his meal, "What about you? I haven't met too many warrior-cooks. There must be a story there."

Bonded (Vodius and Luna)

The young man felt... Something, a slight pressure that washed over him and then seeped into his being gradually. The creature within the runic circle rose, though Raven could only see glimpses of its unusual form as it strode away until the tips of several scaled tails whipped through the visible cylinder. The runes faded until only the light of the campfire provided him with the illumination to see his surroundings, and yet... He still held that sense that he wasn't alone. It dawned on him that this feeling would last as long as the contract with Alverdine did. He knew it somehow, as if the information had been planted in his mind, along with the means to summon her: a thought, a sign with his hands, and a bit of willpower and the summon would be with him.

For now, she seemed content simply to nest in his thoughts--he could feel her presence there. "Sleep well, little one. We have much to learn in the morning..." she cooed, maintaining the soft tone she used last to speak with him, though this time it came from within.

Bonded (Vodius and Luna)

Congratulations on your move and thanks for the heads up :)

Steampunk Pirates (Voduis and Megara)

By the time Sebastian turned his attention away from the plethora of toys surrounding him, Dante had already departed, leaving the slim fellow all alone in the relatively massive chamber, jaw agape and with a slight tinge of shame over his own rudeness. He dropped his own bag on the floor to lean against one of the work tables, took one last look around in a giddy awe, and made his way towards the galley, straightening the lapel of his longcoat as he rounded the corner and stepped into the dining chamber.

He offered Iris a shy wave and a smile as he walked in. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, and likely she could see it as well, but he wasn't quite sure how to treat someone who's introduction includes "fine warrior with a blade" in all honesty. Slinking up to the counter, he meekly pointed at the food that was already bubbling in a pot, adding in a "please" and a "thank you" appropriately before taking a seat nearby, facing the cook, though he wasn't directly engaging her as he ate.

{Vodius} The Dragon Egg {Dragon princess}

Kendrick punctured the deer's hide with the point of the skinning knife and made a clean slit down its belly to gut and clean the kill. He didn't look at the dragon as he worked, likely to avoid accidentally slicing into his own fingers, "Reasonable? You fired an accurate eight hundred meter shot. The record for our bows is somewhere closer to three hundred. I hear the best in the world is four hundred, but who knows how much exaggeration that story may contain?" He paused a moment, letting out a soft sigh and shaking his head slowly. "Sykia, right now your task is to blend in. If you draw too much attention, then I won't be able to honor our arrangement."

His tone held no trace of anger, if anything it was only slightly disapproving, the way a father might chide a child that simply didn't know better. The prince's hands were deft and agile, never a stray cut, never too deep, and never a tear. The scent of blood filled the air and the condensation from the creature's retained heat rose from its wounds as he continued, "Did you have any thoughts as to who you'll be in this guise? Name, profession, purpose? How we met and why I've taken you back to the palace? Things like that."

Bonded (Vodius and Luna)

The corners of the creature's eyes indicated its smile had widened and yet, there was an edge of malice to the expression, "Do not concern yourself with such things, Raven." The voice softened slightly, a reassuring tone that did not match the look the man was receiving, "It would not do to have someone scurrying about with the right to summon me at will when I do not wish to be... We would renegotiate, of course. Something... Mutually beneficial, if such a time would ever come to pass. Simply say that you accept my terms and we can begin." Had Alverdine been standing before him, she might have worn the countenance of a woman helping a child lost in the marketplace, perhaps gently running her fingers through his hair to reassure him that all was well and she was someone to be trusted.

The chill in the air had settled, letting the warmth of the campfire take back the ground lost from the effects of the runic circle. The smoke on the soil had even seemed to dissipate, sapping the eerie atmosphere it had lent itself to. The presences that he had felt around him were not just silenced now, but had begun to depart, diminishing until he could only sense a single being beside him, though still unseen. "Just say that you agree, Raven, and we can begin your tutelage."