[GEM]

"You've learned the basics. Now... we polish your skills," Muirdach said as he strode around where Melody and Runa were facing one another. "I want you to engage Runa in combat. But she will move slower than usual and give you enough time to remember how to block and counter attack each move."

Runa was wearing her armor now too and she stood with her hands behind her back in front of Melody, both about three meters apart.

They trained in a small clearing in front of her cabin on the north side this time. The ground was scorched there and it gave them plenty of room to fight.

[MELODY]

As Melody tried to keep her nerves under control she simply nodded as she watched Runa carefully. "Alright.." she took a deep breath preparing herself mentally for this training.

[GEM]

He looked at little Runa and gave her a nod.

Using dual daggers, she lunged for Melody with a simple side swipe towards her chest with her main hand.

[MELODY]

Using one of her sickles she blocked it the way Muiredach had showed her to. She was surprised herself that she blocked it in time.

[GEM]

But as expected, Runa then tried to slice her with the other dagger after this, attempting to cut Melody's arm off.

[MELODY]

Melody quickly blocked her other dagger with her second sickle. She still tried to push her nerves down to focus.

[GEM]

Runa yanked her blades off Melody's in either direction and ducked to swipe at her legs which she was able to block but when she did, Runa put the tip of her dagger to her throat in a compromised move, showing she could have stabbed her there.

[MELODY]

Melody didn't dare to move when she held the dagger to her throat. She sighed slightly frustrated. "..can we go again?" She asked them both.

[GEM]

"Don't overthink this, Melody. Put your mind into the fight only. Trust your instincts," Muiredach said from behind her, her not even aware he was there as he spoke close to her ear and then stepped onward once more. "Again."

Runa didn't wait to spin and try to kick Melody in the gut.

[MELODY]

Trusting her own instincts was something Melody hadn't done in a long time. Lyre always told her what to do and when to do it. That was showing now.

She was caught by surprise when Runa made the move to kick her. She tried to block the kick by holding her arms in front of her belly but that caused her to lose balance and fall back on the ground.

[GEM]

Runa pointed her dagger to Melody's chin with a cold stare. "Up," she said.

[MELODY]

Melody shot her a glare trying really hard not to give into her head as she got back up staying quiet. But she was clearly struggling to trust herself in this.

[GEM]

Runa twisted her blade and tried to jam it into her rib cage.

[MELODY]

Melody reacted quickly by blocking it with her sickle as she tried to bend Runa's blade the other way by turning her own to get it out of her grasp.

[GEM]

But Runa was too fast and she retracted her weapon, trying to slice her throat with her other.

[MELODY]

Melody's eyes widened when she saw that as she moved her other hand up barely managing to block it with her other sickle.

[GEM]

Runa continued to strike her, slowly than she normally would, as she tested Melody's ability to block and even her ability to counter attack.

"Let your muscles remember the motions of the moves I taught you. Not your mind. Focus on your opponent, aware of each critical movement. Learn to recognize what they look like before they happen," Muiredach said as he paced around them.

But even with his judgmental gaze on her, Melody felt much more at ease than she realized she normally did with Lyre's eyes on her...

[MELODY]

Melody tried her best to use what Muiredach had showed and taught her. The more she let go of her own thoughts and tried to focus on Runa and her own instincts the better she started to fight. Although there were moments she hesitated and doubted herself..that was most difficult.

[GEM]

When she blocked an upward strike, ducked from another, moved before she was tripped, and blocked the next, she felt like she was progressing—

Runa's dagger stopped a centimeter from the side of Melody's throat.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a frustrated sigh when that happened as she really had the feeling she finally knew what to do and then that happened.

[GEM]

Runa drew her weapon back and put her hands behind her, standing properly.

"Again," Muiredach said plainly, knowing that Melody needed repetition to cement these moves into her head.

This time Runa waited for her to make the first move.

[MELODY]

Melody took a deep breath again holding her sickles tightly as she watched Runa. For a moment she hesitated before shaking her head slightly as she made her move towards Runa trying to hit her.

[GEM]

Runa knocked her blade aside in a skillful maneuver, doing so slow enough that Melody could follow what she did to try and use it later on. She used her other to try and strike her side again.

12/19/23, 11:05 AM

[MELODY]

She blocked her strike with her other blade. Her mind was working very hard which was distracting her a lot. While she tried to silence it she got back into only blocking Runa's strikes not trying to strike herself.

12/19/23, 1:27 PM

[GEM]

Left, right, up, and down; stabs and slashes, Melody was able to block and keep up until she wasn't... and when Runa caught her off guard and tripped her ankles, she fell back.

[MELODY]

As she landed hard on her back she felt pain shot in her back. She tried to get back up as quickly as she could but felt her own frustration only rising.

[GEM]

Muiredach walked over to Melody, kneeling down beside her.

[MELODY]

"I..I know very well I am not doing great.." Melody said, having a slight tremble in her voice for a second. She didn't look up at him but didn't try to get up anymore.

[GEM]

"...How did it feel when Tempus Mora killed your entire family?" he asked plainly.

[MELODY]

Melody didn't look up at him yet but was caught off guard by that question. "Ehm I.." she tried to describe it as best she could. "I felt overwhelmed..pain...like my world came crashing down..like I lost all control over my life..after that..empty..and then angry...no..more than angry.." she said as she finally glanced up at him.

[GEM]

She could tell he was sympathetic but there was something else in his gaze; a call to action. "And given the chance, would you go back to fight for them?"

[MELODY]

"Yes..yes I would." She said without hesitation what so ever. There was this small sign of determination in her eyes when she said that.

[GEM]

He offered his hand and she took it, letting him pull her up to a sitting position with her face close to his as he looked into her eyes. "Then become the person that could have done so..." he said sternly. He took the hand he was holding and put her weapon back in her gasp strongly.

[MELODY]

It took her a second to let his words sink in as a small smile appeared on her face giving him a small determinate nod before she got up. "..I will not let you—..." she shook her head slightly then. "I will not let myself down."

[GEM]

He smirked when he stood up as well and took steps back. "Runa," he said and the girl prepared herself for Melody's advance, taking a fighting stance.

[MELODY]

Melody took a deep breath. Her whole expression and body language had changed. There was much more calm and confident. She glanced over at Runa as she still had a smile on her face but it disappeared quickly as she got more serious. She suddenly made the first move and moved quicker then before as she made an attempt to hit Runa's side.

[GEM]

The young assassin blocked the move as she took a calculated step back and tried to swipe her throat in return.

[MELODY]

Melody quickly blocked it with one of her blades as she used her other blade to try and slice her abdomen.

[GEM]

Her strike was deflected fast and Runa ducked from another blow, attempting to slice her leg.

[MELODY]

Melody dodge it by stepping back quickly losing her balance for a second but quickly recovered to block Runa's next strike.

[GEM]

She took steps forward as she made advances left and right, nothing but the sound of metal on metal ringing through the forest as they sparred. Muiredach watched this brawl with complete interest.

When Melody's crescent blade came down to Runa's shoulder she moved her body aside quickly to dodge it and when the other one came at an angle she blocked it with her dagger and tried to stab her with the other one.

[MELODY]

Melody ducked just in time and caught Runa's next strike between both her sickle blades, kicking her in the stomach in response but Runa moved back to dodge it, her dagger falling to the ground but she did a forward roll to pick it back up just in time to block Melody's next strike that threatened to decapitate her. Runa tried to slice her leg while she was kneeling but Melody deflected it with her blade and they continued to exchange strike after strike as Runa began to speed up, Melody able to match it as the metal on metal sounds picked up their pace.

[GEM]

Even when Runa managed to get a kick against Melody's side she just grit her teeth and slung her blade around towards Runa's chest, the girl backing up to avoid the strike and taking steps back when Melody pursued with tenacity, going for Runa's legs but she leapt over her horizontal swing and blocked the next overhead strike with both her daggers, yanking them apart when Melody tried to strike from the left.

This blow was blocked and Runa got even faster with her attempts, walking forward as she finally put her whole focus into the fight, catching Melody's blades and throwing strikes of her own with skill and precision, the repetitious sound of sword on sword getting faster and faster until Runa finally was able to disarm her and hold her dagger to Melody's throat.

There was a moment of silence in the air as Muiredach began to smirk slowly, pride in his eyes. "There she is," he said as Melody was too busy looking intense as she stared at Runa, catching her breath.

[GEM]

There was no magic in sight in this moment. Melody was simply herself; strong with raw physical power, determination and passion flowing through her veins.

[MELODY]

As she tried to catch her breath slowly it started to sink in what she just managed to do.

[GEM]

Runa tried to keep from smiling too, and she drew her weapon back.

"Right... Let's go again," Muiredach said, returning to business as he continued to pace around them.

Runa twisted her blade and lunged for Melody again, locking them in combat once more.

Melody grit her teeth as she used the branch above her to pull herself up, the muscles in her arms burning as they weren't able to hold her weight, as little as that was. This wasn't something she was used to having to do.

Runa was doing these beside her a bit more easily and when she noticed Melody she grinned with amusement and nodded towards her with her eyes on Muiredach.

He nearly rolled his eyes but he walked up regardless and helped her for her first set, putting his hands around her waist to support her a bit as she pulled up her body towards the branch over her head that she gripped.

[MELODY]

Melody couldn't help but blush slightly when she felt his hands on her waist. But with his help she managed to pull herself up now. As she managed to do so she let out a deep sigh. "I am going to feel that tomorrow.." she mumbled holding onto the branch still.

[GEM]

Runa snickered with amusement and Muiredach held back a subtle grin of his own as he helped her.

"Men aren't the only ones you'll face out there," Runa said with her hands behind her back, Umbra looking down at Melody in an intimidating manner, that dragon's face like that of a nightmare. "You'll have to learn how to evade all kinds of enemies if you want to stay alive."

[MELODY]

Melody watched the dragon cautiously not sure what it would do as she nodded. "I know...there be dragons as well..." she tried not to sound nervous, but dragons still made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

[GEM]

"With dragons it's all about speed and innovation. This takes knowledge of their species. For instance, Umbra is blind. But she knows you by your scent as well as her sonar ability. This means that if her prey is not directly before her, she has trouble catching it which is why her body is as snake-like as it is," Runa said as she pet the side of the beast's head, the dragon letting out a low chittering sound.

"The temptation when dragons try to attack is to get low but this makes you an easy target for them. Keep on your feet and keep moving. And never turn your back on one," she continued.

[MELODY]

Melody listened carefully to what Runa was saying while keeping her eyes on Umbra. "..so keep moving but don't turn your back to them...but how does that work?" She raised an eyebrow as she asked. It didn't sound logical to her yet.

[GEM]

"Come on, girl. Let's demonstrate," she told the beast and Umbra backed up, giving her head a quick shake and adjusting her posture before Runa faced her with a wide stance, knees bent.

The dragon opened her mouth and lunged her head towards Runa to bite her but the girl did a roll to the left to dodge it, standing back up quickly as she faced the dragon still and Umbra tried to snatch her with the paw on her wing, Runa ducking to miss this and preparing for the next bite attempt as she ran forward and slid under the dragon's wing, keeping her eyes on the dragon's head the whole time. She hopped over the dragon's tail when Umbra tried to trip her with it and the beast spun around to snap at her again, missing when Runa leapt behind her back leg. But she had to roll forward to avoid the back claws catching her like a rat in a trap.

Muiredach glanced up from where he was, in his tunic, trousers, and boots only as he worked on putting up a log wall with Mortifer's help, the dragon bringing back trees and stripping them of branches to make the logs. He crafted wedges into the logs as he did some critical thinking. They needed a plan still and he left Runa to the training in order to think of one, able to think better when he was doing something with his hands.

[MELODY]

As she watched them in amazement she wondered how she was ever able to do that herself. Dragons were something she barely had contact with out here by her cabin. She barely had experience with them.

[GEM]

Runa ran and ducked skillfully, somehow dodging every one of the dragon's attempts to catch her and Melody watched her do this until at last she let herself get caught by Umbra and pet the side of the beast's head as it let her go. "Alright. Give it a go," Runa said and the dragon suddenly looked at Melody, not really giving her a long time to prepare before she spread her wings and lunged.

12/20/23, 12:49 PM

[MELODY]

Melody's eyes widened when the dragon immediately lunged for her. She dodged the dragon barely by doing a roll in another direction before getting back onto her feet a bit unbalanced dodging the dragon's next attempt to get her just barely.

[GEM]

Runa ducked from the black smooth scaled tail and watched this with almost amusement in her expression as Umbra snapped and clawed to try and catch Melody with no practice and almost no real advice on how to do this.

[GEM]

Umbra's claws caught the tree bark beside the young woman when she slid and ducked behind the tree, having to move again when the dragon's teeth were right before her.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a panicked yelp when that happened as she just tried to stay out of reach of the dragon's claws and fangs. It looked really comical as she ran around ducking and dodging away from the dragon.

[GEM]

Runa tried not to laugh at this sight, putting her hand to her mouth to stop it.

When Umbra finally tackled Melody with her claws around her torso against the grass, the beast neared her with a growl, as if threatening to eat her.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a surprised yelp as the beast tackled her. She glanced up at the beast nervously. "Alright..alright! You got me!" She said to Umbra but she couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh.

[GEM]

Runa ran over when she thought Umbra was in danger of actually eating Melody but when the dragon licked Melody's face with her huge forked tongue instead, Runa let out a laugh at last.

[MELODY]

Melody couldn't help but laugh at that and smile. The beast's tongue tickled her as she licked her face. "S-Stop! Stop!" She said laughing as she tried to get away from under the beast but wasn't able to move.

[GEM]

Muiredach looked up from where he was, standing halfway in the opening of the wall that he worked on, his hands dirty and hair messy, sleeves rolled up and collar opened as his skin glistened with sweat. He was working hard but slowed when he heard their shenanigans. As he watched Runa try to stop the dragon, seeing Melody's adorable wide smile, and hearing both of them laughing together as even Umbra enjoyed their company, he let a content smile of his own spread on his lips, a peaceful look in his blue eyes as his fingers hesitated on the wall of logs...

[MELODY]

As Melody managed to get one arm free, she pet the beast over her nose, smiling brightly. She really felt great in that moment being with them. She looked over at her side to see how Muiredach was doing. It made them make eye contact as her expression became more happy when she saw his.

[GEM]

He broke eye contact with her when she noticed him and pretended like she didn't as he went back to work but he couldn't shake the glad look off his face completely.

Runa then taught Melody how to balance well, walking on large tree roots and nearly falling several times but when she did, Runa would try not to laugh at her and Melody would shoot her a look when this would happen.

"The most important muscles to tune, are the ones in your core. As assassins we know true invisibility is just a manner of patience and agility," Runa said to Melody, watching her as she was on her elbows and toes on the ground doing a plank, breathing hard through it as she wasn't used to an ab work out like this either.

"Almost two minutes," Runa said. "You're lucky you know. I had to do this over burning coals," she remarked.

[MELODY]

"W-Well..that's lovely .." Melody said sarcastically having a painful expression on her face feeling a big part of her muscles burn. She tried not to talk too much to concentrate on staying up.

12/20/23, 2:38 PM

[GEM]

"If it makes you feel any better you're lasting much longer than I expected," she said plainly.

[MELODY]

"..well..thank you.." Melody said with a sigh as she tried her best to keep up even longer but her arms gave in making her fall onto the ground. She rolled herself onto her back breathing heavily. Her whole body was aching from these trainings. But she barely felt it with her new found confidence.

[GEM]

Runa shook her head. "Two minutes and five seconds. Pathetic," she insulted with no emotion but Melody could tell that she was jesting as she walked away with disappointment.

"Hands up here," Runa told her as she adjusted her stance for hand to hand combat. "Extend your arm like this," she demonstrated a slow punch motion. "Use your first two knuckles only and don't twist your wrist. If you do, you might hurt yourself more than them."

[MELODY]

"..alright.." Melody tried to make a mental note of what Runa told her. But it started to get a bit more difficult to concentrate as she had been going through training all day.

[GEM]

They went through the motions of a good punch until she got it down.

Runa taught Melody the correct way to execute different kinds of kicks as well, practicing on a tree or each other's hands mostly.

She also demonstrated different unarmed maneuvers to gain back control of a fight even if you are weaponless.

After Melody successfully pulled off a few, Runa put her hands to her hips. "We need a practice dummy," she sighed. "Hey, Muiredach! Come here!" she called.

[MELODY]

Melody took that second to take a breather before getting her focus back on training. She looked over at Muiredach when Runa called him. "You want me to..kick him?" She asked Runa at a bit of an amused tone.

[GEM]

"Shhhh!" she said to her with held back laughter.

"No," is all he said plainly, merely replying to Runa's shouting but didn't hear anything else that was said between them.

"Please! It will be quick!" she insisted, keeping an amused look at bay.

He finally came walking over through the brush and to where they stood, reminding Melody of how tall he was when he was standing before the two of them, as she was used to little Runa's height now who was shorter than even she was. "This better be important," he said in an annoyed tone.

"Oh it is. We were thinking we really needed a punching sack and your face is just so incredibly punchable," she jested dryly.

He held back amusement, they could tell, glancing to the left and working a muscle in his jaw as he did. He crossed his arms over his chest as he gave them a smoldering scowl. "Really? Is that so?"

[GEM]

"Just so," Runa replied.

"Well how about this? If you can break from this hold, I'll let you punch me as hard as you want."

Runa seemed confused. "What hold?"

Suddenly Muiredach grabbed her like a sack of flour and slung her over his shoulder as she squeaked loudly and began protesting but was laughing so hard she couldn't fight him off. "No! Stop! Put me down! Muiredach! I'm going to kill you!" she was saying but he was keeping stone-faced the whole time as he held her with one arm casually and looked over at Melody. "Hm. I think we should go for a swim, don't you? It is rather lovely out," he asked her normally.

"Muiredach!" Runa was still shouting.

[MELODY]

Melody watched them amused as a small smile appeared on her face. "Yea I think that would be nice." She said as she nodded in agreement. A smirk appeared on her face as she did. She just loved the way he was teasing Runa. It made her think of how she used to tease her younger sister.

[GEM]

He copied her smirk, enjoying how she was playing along.

"Don't you dare!" Runa scolded but Muirdach began walking towards the stream southbound with the girl in his tight grip. "Stop! Where are we going?!"

[MELODY]

Melody couldn't help but chuckle as she followed them curious to see what the outcome of this would be. "I think you are going for a swim." She said with an innocent smile on her face as she spoke to Runa.

[GEM]

"Muiredach I swear to all the gods above this green earth if you even think about it—I'll gut you like a fish! You hear me?!" she said with rage but he didn't reply at all as he seemed subtly amused and continued to walk as she spat loud threats at him, even hitting his back repeatedly.

[MELODY]

Melody found their interaction so fascinating. She couldn't help it. She just walked after them still looking around from time to time.

[GEM]

When they arrived at the river Runa sounded scared as she said, "Muiredach, seriously! Don't! It's freezing! Seriously! Put me down!" she begged but still angry.

"Alright, alright," he obliged and began to carefully set her down but when he did, he didn't tell her that they were so close to ankle deep water and when he sat her into the shallow stream, she stumbled and fell on her rear end in the water and gaped at him with offense and disbelief.

He cracked into a loud laugh that Melody was not expecting, his smile wide and his hallowed scarred cheeks creating dimples of pure joy, completely opposite his usual steely demeanor.

And this laughter only got thicker and more genuine when Runa jumped from the water and lunged at Muiredach out of pure rage to attack him as he just took her punches and kicks.

"You stupid, dumb, irritating, worthless pile of horse shite—!" she was saying.

[MELODY]

As he started laughing like that Melody's eyes widened slightly in surprise. There was a slight sparkle in them as she watched him. A warm smile appeared on her face as a laugh escaped her as well seeing Runa's reaction.

[GEM]

Muiredach continued to laugh as Runa threatened him with, "I'm gonna kill you."

"Oh such a scary little mouse," he mocked her.

"You—I'm gonna—" she let out frustrated noises and went to put her foot back into the water, kicking up a splash against him as the water hit his face and chest. He merely shut his eyes and shook it from the front part of his dark hair that was chin length, as he continued to grin, before looking back at her and running his hand through his hair.

"And you," Runa said and kicked water at Melody as well.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a yelp when she splashed her holding her hands up in defense "I didn't do anything..!" She replied with another laugh escaping her.

[GEM]

"You and your giggles over here all 'Oh I'm just an innocent bystander here with my innocent doe eyes and pretty blonde hair'," she mocked, even mimicking Melody's accent.

"Spot on," Muiredach said plainly but with sarcasm, his expression confirming it, his arms crossed over his chest. His wet hair was slicked back now.

[MELODY]

Melody rolled her eyes at them as she tried to dry her face with her sleeve. "..as if I talk like that.." she said acting like she was offended but really it amused her.

[GEM]

"I'm all cheesed off now, I'm leaving," Runa said in a huff and began to stomp up the hill but when she passed Muiredach he grabbed her around the waist and tickled her as she screeched and laughed uncontrollably. "Okay! Okay! I relent!" she said through fits of giggles as he just chuckled, holding her up as her muscles failed when she was tickled, both of them practically on the ground now.

[MELODY]

Melody watched them getting that same warm smile on her face as before. But there was some sadness starting to show in her eyes as memories with her sister resurfaced. She looked away then as her smile disappeared as she stared into the forest.

[GEM]

Runa slapped him in the chest and got free as she adjusted her tunic. "I hate you," she said with a grin and walked up the hill.

He smiled as he watched her leave and then when he noticed Melody's beautiful smile had disappeared, his did as well. And his brows knit together as he looked at her. "What is it?" he asked with dry concern.

[MELODY]

Melody snapped out of her thoughts as she glanced back at him. She shook her head slightly forcing a small smile on her face. "Nothing..it's nothing to worry about..just..memories." She said sighing softly.

[GEM]

He didn't shake the expression off his face, his arms crossed, as he continued to look at her, as if letting her know that he wasn't going to leave it until she came clean to him, not taking the dismissed reply.

[MELODY]

The smile she forced on her lips disappeared again as she broke eye contact, looking down. "I thought of my sister.." she said honestly then. "..seeing the two you fooling around made me think of her."

[GEM]

His eyes scanned her face as she spoke, understanding her emotional ache over this memory. He nodded before looking away from her... "Runa knows more than most how it is to lose those you love... Even if she has never had a sister before..." He looked down at her again, a soft appearance to his eyes. "...until now," he added, remembering the way they were laughing together before... That sight will warm his heart forever.

[MELODY]

Melody's eyes widened slightly in surprise when he said that as she looked back up at him. She slowly realized what he meant as a smile returned to her face and she nodded. She let out a soft sigh then putting her arms around her waist. "..I would be happy to fill in that role for her..and myself.."

[GEM]

He kept the soft look in his eyes and remained in silent admiration. Something in him loved that more than anything. He knew he always wanted the best for Runa, and what she needed was a life far away from the dark one she had been living... And out here... he discovered a new side to her that he was so grateful to see, Melody bringing that out in her as well. He hadn't seen her smile so much before... It felt... ...he didn't know... there weren't a lot of positive words in his vocabulary given how little he used them...

Until now.

Here he was, trying to keep his heart strings unattached to anyone else's but two of them were bound tight despite his efforts...

A smirk hesitated on his lips as he looked at her before he stepped up and put his arm around her shoulders, bringing her into him and putting a kiss atop her head. "Thank you," he said quietly with regards to Runa, his heart more content than it had been in a while.

[MELODY]

Her eyes widened slightly once again as he pulled her into his embrace. But her smile grew wider again as a slight blush appeared on her face when he placed that kiss on her forehead. She put her arms around his waist hugging him. "What?...I just..did what I felt I needed to do..what she needed.." she said modestly. She clearly had no idea about the effect she had on others.

[GEM]

When she put her arms around him with her head against his chest, the feeling that swept over him was unexpected and caught him off guard. His eyes looked ahead as his brows were pulled together, appearing in calculation as if he was trying to make sense of this feeling.

But he then slowly began to put his arms around her in return, his chin against the top of her head. His adoration for her filled his heart to the brim and he finally closed his eyes when he let go of his rigid behavior, giving in to what he was tempted to do this time as he enjoyed this strange feeling of contentment that spread through his whole being when she was in his arms and he was in hers... something else he couldn't explain. Aside from three times Runa had hugged him before... he... had never been embraced by anyone. And it... was overwhelming to him which he didn't expect.

As his fingers wove through her hair while he held her head against him, he couldn't deny that he wouldn't protest if this moment lasted forever. It was oddly comforting and it warmed his soul, not realizing how much he needed it until now... So strange. Such a small little thing... a tiny bit of kindness... but rather an impact it made on someone who never experienced kindness.

He liked her modest reply, finding her natural ability to just be a ray of sunshine rather cute. It was rare... for him to find. And precious like a diamond. He wished it never tarnished like it had for him. She was... a beam of light and he was a dark damaged shadow, in hunger for the way she made him feel.

As he took in her scent that he found himself comforted by, he said, "I know..." in a quiet voice, thumb stroking her shoulder.

[MELODY]

Feeling his whole attitude change and him giving in to her embracing him made her feel really happy. She closed her eyes as well feeling safe in his embrace. There was something she felt being with him like this that she couldn't place, but it felt so good. She stayed quiet as she stood there with him like that. Not knowing what to say as she felt like there wasn't anything in that moment that needed to be said. The way she felt in that moment was enough.

[GEM]

As Muiredach held her close, he enjoyed this as much as she did, not wanting to let her go.

But that's when Melody felt a swooping sensation of heavy darkness that was rather familiar, the whispering voice escalating until it shouted, Melody! in an alarmed tone.

[MELODY]

Her whole body tensed up when she felt that dark sensation. Melody's eyes shot open when she heard that familiar voice. She saw Lyre standing nearby on a boulder looking at her.

[GEM]

Muiredach felt her sudden unease as her hands gripped his tunic. He furrowed his brows when he opened his eyes and pulled back enough to let his hand move from the back of her head to her jawline. "What's the matter, little doe?" he asked her, wondering if she would tell him the truth or lie to that question. His ice blue eyes studied her delicate porcelain face.

[MELODY]

Melody's whole attitude changed. She instantly seemed to close off and shut instantly. "..I-..I saw something.." she said trying to stay calm. "I..I should..I have to do something.." she said as she carefully let go of him but it was clear she didn't want to.

[GEM]

He gave her a questioning look, not understanding anything she was babbling about as his hand lingered at her cheek and the other was now on her shoulder.

Make haste my child! He is hurt! But you can save him, Lyre told her.

[MELODY]

A concerned expression appeared on her face when she glanced over at Lyre again. "..I..I will be fine.." she told Muiredach trying to sound calm. "Something needs my help." She knew how vaguely it sounded. She stepped away from him before she walked past him into the forest following Lyre.

[GEM]

Not seeing the wolf, Muiredach watched Melody seemingly just run off alone and he began to follow after her.

Lyre's image was like a mirage, ghostly as he ran ahead leaving canine footprints on the mud with every step between the trees.

He was leading her west, far from her cabin and further inland, but not near the village either. She had been in this area before of course, and knew each tree. But she didn't know where he was leading or to what.

[MELODY]

While wondering what Lyre was leading her to she followed anyway. Not knowing never really had made her nervous. Until now that not knowing exactly made her nervous.

[GEM]

As she made her way through the woods, hopping over stone and stream, she found herself in front of a rocky ravine with a mostly dried up river that once ran through it but now was just a small stream. But what she saw down there made her widen her eyes.

It was a large, four legged, rich blue dragon with wide light stripes over its smooth scales, the appearance of the beast looking like a water type, with a spade shaped head and large simple wings.

It was lying with its tail curled up around its back leg, blood smeared on the stones around it. She couldn't see the injury from here but Lyre began to show her a safe way down.

[MELODY]

She felt her heart starting to speed up as she saw the dragon and made her way down following Lyre's instructions. 'What happened to him?' she asked him as she carefully got closer to the dragon. The dragon's head shot up immediately when it heard her coming closer. As it narrowed its eyes as it growled lowly. It tried to get up facing her but it was clearly in pain as it barely managed to before falling down again. "No no it's okay..don't get up..you poor thing." Melody said to it calmly as she watched it concerned.

[GEM]

He was attacked...

When she was closer she could see the scratches on the dragon's back legs, tail, and rib cage, as well as a nasty bite on its shin.

Likely by another dragon.

[MELODY]

Her concern only grew when she saw the injuries. Something inside her told her that he was lying but she pushed that thought out of her mind concentrating on the injured beast. She cautiously got as close as the dragon would let her not breaking eye contact as she did. She then kneeled down showing her hands to the beast to show she had no weapons and meant no harm.

[GEM]

Lyre stood by, knowing the dragon was too injured to fight and therefore docile enough to allow Melody to be near it.

Muiredach arrived on the scene and when he looked down and saw Melody stepping close to the injured dragon he widened his eyes. "Melody! Stay back!"

[MELODY]

"Don't! I got it!" Melody said to him as she heard him shout. She carefully got even closer to it as it snarled at her readying a blast as a warning. It made its mouth glow up but it had not enough energy to exactly fire it. She noticed that sighing softly as she literally sat down in front of it. "I know it's scary...being here alone..injured..but I want to help." She said to it calmly as she held her hand out to it showing no fear what so ever. It stopped its firing as it looked at her rather confused not sure what to do. It didn't seem to trust her but at the same time knew it couldn't fight like this. When it stopped that's when she held out her hand to it. It firstly growled again but when Melody didn't move her hand it looked rather confused about it tilting its head slightly.

[GEM]

Muiredach ran to her as the dragon prepared to kill her but didn't get there in time, halting when the dragon stopped its growling and Melody put out a hand to tell him to stay put.

So he just stayed there a few meters back but prepared to pull a weapon if the dragon should get hostile again, his eyes wide with intensity. His heart was beating fast now partly from the running and the rest from the fear.

[GEM]

Seems the man cannot trust you to defend yourself against a half alive dragon...

[MELODY]

Melody didn't reply on that, by now knowing Muiredach was just concerned for her wellbeing. Slowly she got closer holding her hand out to it so it could sniff it. The dragon sniffed it and seemed to somewhat calm down but it was very on edge still. She watched him cautiously just following her instincts in this. As soon as she was sure that the dragon would let her help she took a closer look at its injuries. Calculating what she had to do to heal the poor beast. 'Will you let me heal it?' she asked Lyre calmly but seriously.

[GEM]

Use your gift, Melody. It's time, he replied.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a relieved sigh when he agreed to it as she went to kneel down besides it. "Alright..trust me.." she said to the dragon calmly as She stayed in the dragon's view so it would stay calm. As she carefully placed her hands against the dragon's side her eyes and markings started to glow a golden white. Slowly that glow started to spread over the dragon's body making it panic slightly as it was caught off guard by it but it felt it's pain slowly fade away as the injuries started to heal.

[GEM]

Muiredach watched her with interest, not realizing she had these supernatural abilities to heal like this. She always seemed to surprise him it appeared...

And he slowly loosened his grip oh his throwing dagger at his side...

But his eyes widened a bit when he saw the dragon's injuries disappearing as if she was speeding up time itself. He had never seen anything like this before...

[MELODY]

Slowly the dragon started to realize the same. That its injuries were disappearing. Melody let out an exhaustion sigh once she was done. The glow slowly disappeared out of her eyes and the markings. "See? That wasn't so b-.." Before she could finish that sentence the dragon roared in her face and flew away. "...well..no problem.." she said sighing softly as her stood up a bit shakily.

[GEM]

Muiredach was at her side, preparing to fight that beast if it had tried anything but he watched it fly off and offered to help Melody to her feet.

[MELODY]

As she grabbed his hand a small smile appeared on her face. "..sorry if I scared you with that.." she said apologetically. She then turned her head to watch the dragon fly off. "..I wonder why it was so injured..it was clearly attacked.."

[GEM]

"Many dragons fight over things like food and territory..." he said as he stayed protectively close and gazed at where the dragon disappeared to, thoughts running through his mind...

"Seems I found three things rather surprising this evening," he finally said. "The appearance of that dragon so suddenly, your ability to heal it with magic like some kind of sorcerer... and your previous statement of never seeing a dragon before seeming as rather a lie now..." he lifted a brow as he looked down at her.

[MELODY]

"I didn't lie about never having seen a dragon before that attack.." Melody said with an innocent look on her face. But she knew it felt suspicious to him. She really couldn't tell him how this all was possible even with how much she wanted to.

12/23/23, 11:04 AM

[GEM]

"Hm. And how did you know this beast was out here so suddenly?" he asked as he narrowed his eyes. But she couldn't tell if he was actually wondering or just testing her to see if she would tell him the truth.

[MELODY]

Melody clearly hesitated before sighing softly. "..my spirit guide told me..." She couldn't tell him more then that but she didn't want to lie to him either. She just hoped Lyre would be understanding about it.

12/23/23, 12:19 PM

[GEM]

There was an unnerving silence from Lyre after she spoke these words. And she no longer saw his image skulking around.

Muiredach nodded. "As I assumed," is all he said plainly as he turned and walked toward the way out of the ravine.

[MELODY]

"..what? You assumed I had one?" She asked as she followed him. Not feeling his presence and seeing Lyre no longer at that exact moment made her quite nervous.

[GEM]

"I knew you did. Even from the moment I first met you, it was fairly obvious, though not my concern to enquire into," he replied in the same blunt way as he walked.

[MELODY]

Melody was a bit put off by the way he said it. "..alright..well it obviously seems to bother you. Am I wrong?" She asked as she followed him. It clearly bothered her the way he said it after she told him that.

[GEM]

He frowned a bit by that question as he wasn't behaving differently than he normally did so he then snickered and shook his head as he messed with his sleeve. "You don't learn to read many people in isolation, now do you?" he said with a bit of amusement in his tone.

[MELODY]

She stared at him for a couple of seconds before she rolled her eyes at him. "No.." She said simply before she walked past him in the direction of the cabin.

[GEM]

He began to smirk as he watched her stomp ahead, admittedly something about her frustration equally amusing and adorable to him...

He then let his gaze fall and followed after her at his usual pace.