Luce Dumont | Pink Kingdom | Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All

”It makes sense,” Luce replied to Roland’s statement, a warm glance thrown once more to the animals arrayed around him. ”I’ll definitely do my best to make her fall in love with me, then!”

It was then that she noticed the final companion approaching, a timid-looking girl who was absolutely dwarfed by Roland’s stature - the hand the girl placed on his arm seemed friendly, but it was the way that Roland turned toward her, obviously uncertain that had Luce wondering if they were truly aware of each other or if this was their first meeting.

Still, a smile was once more crossing her face as she prepared to greet the final member of their group - only to spin on her heel as heat suddenly assaulted her. Her eyes caught only a momentary glance at Naeome, holding onto the firebird struggling in her arms, before the world was awash in flames. Immediately, Luce threw out one hand, a crystalline wall of energy forming between herself and those nearest her and the woman enwrapped in flames.

At the same time she was aware of the animals behind Roland reacting violently, her own gelding trumpeting a warning as he rose to paw at the sky, loyalty to his master battling with his innate fear of flame. She threw another barrier toward him, an opaque gleaming wall that was smaller in stature than the one that shielded her companions, but large enough that the fire was out of his sight. Still agitated, the beast danced in uncertainty, nostrils flaring, but he did not dart away as she was afraid he might.

And then Roland was on the ground, and Naeome was screaming at Altair to apologize and wasn’t this a wonderful way to start a journey?

Altair Cruz | Yellow Kingdom | Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All

Altair was unsurprised by the way the Pink Companion treated him - in fact, he was used to it, the way others saw him as lesser because he had once been gutter scum. Not that the companion could possibly know of his past, but he figured it must have clung to him in some way, that rough upbringing of his. He smiled back at them pleasantly enough, revealing a row of gleaming teeth not unlike a panther’s snarl. Let them think as they wished, it was the Champions that mattered in the end.

He was briefly aware of the final companion joining them, but Naeome’s growled Mongrel sounded half-truthful and he smiled more kindly at her, trying to ease her tension. Coming from her the word lacked any true wounding power, because the truth of the matter was that they were both outcasts in different ways.

He was almost about to laugh, apologize, sweep their insults toward each other under the rug and investigate further this group they found themselves within, and then he saw her recoil, and light blazed, causing him to squint and flinch backward reflexively as he was momentarily blinded.

His hands came up to cover his eyes even as he stepped backward, aware of a sudden heat that rolled from the phoenix. When he could properly see again, he was made aware of where the fire had come from - the angered bird spewed fire like a raging elemental, and he grit his teeth that Naeome should choose such a temperamental, obviously unhinged creature for a pet.

For the briefest of moments, his hand hovered over a hidden pocket in his trousers; the bird was obviously a menace and his training demanded it be put down swift and silently. A blade coated in a mild paralytic and deadly neurotoxin was likely the best for the job - but he forced himself to relax, raising his hands up in surrender even as Naeome yelled at him.

”I’m sorry for saying I would turn you into a meal, so stop throwing a tantrum, bird! You know your master would rather kill me than let that happen!” Gods, but he hated raising his own voice; it was totally at odds with how he had been raised, but considering the circumstances, he was forced to shout.

Dakota Silver
Female | 19 Years | Location: Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All.

Whilst Luce had been raising Barriers to protect the group from the flames Dakota had been pulling Angel back a few steps until she eventually caught sight of the river. A sudden idea came to mind and Dakota stopped moving backwards and instead moved to the right before drawing some water from the river until a rather large blog floated above her. Dakota briefly looked it over, wondering if it was enough before shrugging and launching it towards the fire in hopes to at the very least save the hedge, and in turn the house.

Naeome Kanore

17 ;; @ Meeting Grounds ;; Mentions ~ All

----

Naeome hissed at the blinding curtain of heat and light, barely hearing the others over it's crackling. "Gods damn you bird! The hell is the matter? Altair was kidding!" She growled at Imogen, but the words registered no effect on the still-spewing bird. Gods, I'm supposed to kill them off before we reach the destination, but I doubt it will look good if they all fry to death at the meeting point , she groaned internally.

The splash from Dakota hit her literally like a bucket of ice water tossed over her. A great plume of steam billowed into the heavens, and Imogen choked. Naeome took that chance to slip into the firebird's mind again.

It was like drowning in a roiling sea. She couldn't get a grasp on the firebird's barriers to melt them down, being tossed and buckled like a furious stallion. Naeome gritted her teeth, grabbing at tendrils of thoughts and wild emotions. Emotions made everything so much more difficult. Finally- finally she collected enough of the jagged pieces tossed about to slip her will over the phoenix's. She felt a pang of some sour emotion in her chest as sent Imogen plummeting like a stone into the endless dark of unconsciousness. Refusing to dwell on the pang of emotion, Naeome straightened, panting.

"Gods-damn you Altair. You know what happened the last time you threatened her. I hear that the royal gardeners are still trying to rebuild Mother's favorite garden. Well, not her favorite anymore, considering the charred mess." She shook her head, cursing at him. But she could never be truly mad at him, an unfortunate side effect of being thrown together since a very young age. "Next time, warn me, will you? And Dakota? That was a very good idea." She gave the Champion a grin, not bothered by her now-sodden clothes. "I can't remember the last time someone stopped one of Imogen's tantrums so quickly."

It was only then that she noticed the new arrival, standing behind a collapsed Roland. "Greetings! You are the White Kingdom companion I presume?" She forced cheerfulness into her tone, hoping to calm things down after the spectacle her pet had made of a sacred monument.

(bipolar firebird ftw :') And that's fine Angel ^ ^)

Ser Roland Whitestark
White Kingdom | Location - Road/Meeting Grounds | Mentions - All
He flared his nostrils, throwing his head around as the smoke whirled around him. His iron shoes hooves pounded against the ground, all his animal instincts were telling him to run. Yet his human instincts told him he was fine. His big head swung around as he spotted his human body. It was out of danger of the flames and so was he. As the fire died away and the smoke cleared, the warhorse is the back of his head no longer seemed to be panicking. Slowly he began to withdraw from Glory's mind and back into his own.
Opening his eyes, he slowly sat up and realized his head was pounding. Roland had to learn to lay down first before phasing out. Standing up, he rubbed the back of his head and looked for his companion. He made his way over to her and actually got a good look at her. She seemed so tiny and delicate, without a doubt she had to be from one of the valleys. She would have a hard time higher up in the mountains. "Excuse my bad manners, I am Ser Roland Whitestark. You must be my chosen companion?" He gave a polite nod to the woman, not sure of her birth if she was a lady, baseborn, or somewhere in between.

Luce Dumont | Pink Kingdom | Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All

The flames raged even as Luce tried to find a way to handle the fire. Her thoughts came to a crawl as she saw the mass of water that Dakota floated toward the Yellow Champion. The resulting splash and sudden spewing of fumes, like an extinguished campfire, made her cough - she found herself particularly sensitive to acrid scents, and the smoke that erupted from a recently-doused fire certainly counted as overbearing.

Still, as the bird fell unconscious in Naeome’s arms and she turned to berate Altair, Luce let her barriers fall with a soft sigh, swallowing to return some moisture to her mouth. The hand Ryia laid upon her shoulder was comforting in the aftermath of the rampage, and she gave them a grateful smile before loosing a small giggle at Naeome greeting their most recent companion as if nothing had happened.

Of course, she was the Pink Champion, and she was quick to size up the individuals of her group. While she was unable to spot any external injuries at a glance, she did ask, ”Is everyone all right?” Burns would ache and throb without the proper magics applied to them and Roland had fallen quite a way, considering his relative height. ”You dropped rather fast, Ser Roland. Any head injuries?”

Perhaps it might seem arrogant for her to so quickly take command in such a situation, but her Father would have her skull for not properly tracking their groups’ injuries, especially considering how dire the situation was.

Altair Cruz | Yellow Kingdom | Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All

As soon as the danger was past, Altair was quick to approach his Champion, reaching to grasp her by the forearms, his normal smirk lost to an expression of genuine worry as he looked her over. Naeome’s beration rolled off his back as easily as water from a duck’s; now that he was no longer threatened with a fiery death, his concern for her had reasserted itself. ”And I’ve told you,” he answered quietly, words meant only for her ears, ”that you should put the deranged creature down before it burns us all to a crisp.”

He stepped back from her, shaking his head. Briefly, his hand came up to fiddle with his hair, long fingers skimming through the ponytail as he pushed his worry beneath. A wry grin curled across his mouth as she greeted their final member, and he turned with her to size up the girl.

Roland had been quick to protect her, and already Altair was thinking of how best to utilize the White Champion’s kindness against him. Still, he smiled at her pleasantly enough, adding, ”Apologies for the almost-burning done by milady’s pet.”

Dakota Silver
Female | 19 Years | Location: Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All.

Dakota let out a somewhat shaky breath as the smoke started to clear away. She gave a quick nod and smile to Angel for her help before hearing the other's in the groups praise. Blushing lightly she spoke, "It was nothing. Besides, better to take action rather then just wait for it to die out and explain later on why one of the most recognized monuments in the kingdoms now has heavy scorch marks..." Dakota mumbled before directing her attention to the monument in question before sighing. Mother is not going to be happy when she hears about the reason for this... she thought before shaking her head and returning her attention to the group.

Naeome Kanore

17 ;; @ ;; Mentions ~ All

----

Naeome rolled her eyes at Altair. "You'll be glad of this deranged creature when a fight comes." The double meaning apparent to the two of them. "Unless, of course, she's too busy burning your face off."

Sighing, she turned to the gathered people, sweeping into a graceful curtsy. "My sincerest apologies Sers and Ladies for my pet's latest tantrum. She will be watched closely on this journey to ensure that we all arrive in one piece, at least." A blatant lie, but it was smooth out of her lips. Another reason the brought the firebird. It was believable that Imogen would claw out the throats of a few Champions or companions with her personality. So Naeome could afford to let the phoenix off a few members of the group, before sending her home on 'bad behavior'.

"Dakota hon, I'm grateful for you saving us, but it's a little late for the scorch marks." Naeome laughed, shaking her head at the aftermath. "As we have all gathered, shall we move out?"

(Just noticed how much easier to read it is if I bold the dialogue xD)

Dakota Silver
Female | 19 Years | Location: Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All.

Dakota sighed and shook her head at the scorch marks before answering Naeome "I suppose we should. From the briefing I got before coming here there are three Checkpoints per say before we reach the wizards Tower. So if you have a mount call it over. We have a pretty long journey ahead. We can decide if we're going to stop or continue while we go." Dakota said as she started to stretch and crack her back, neck, and fingers whilst she mentally prepared for a shift.

(Writing on my phone is a pain )

Dakota Silver
Female | 19 Years | Location: Meeting Grounds | Mentions: All.

Dakota stopped stretching when she saw the second horse, "You brought two?" She questioned as she tilted her head to the side slightly.