Starbound

Includes

Battle Theme:

Battle intro:

Victory:

Defeat:

Taunt:

Reacting to Taunt:

Tie:

Perfect Victory:

Final Finisher:

- - TAG QUOTES - - 

Assist:

Your muse down during Assist:

Using item on your muse:

Healing/Buffing your muse:

3/5

Anika gave a tiny chuckle before looking another way, then back to Akrahan, reaching up to leave a light kiss on his chin... and stopping there, close enough but not too close. Her usual confidence seemed cracked, somehow.

It had been a while since their first meeting in the graveyard. They had met the morning after as they planned, and Anika was impressed by the dragonborn's skills with magic: he might not have been the most expert of the mages she ever met, but he was certainly one who put his soul into what he did. That was something she certainly appreciated.

"But if such familiar figures were keys for the future, I'm sure we would have known. Besides, the general threat was uncovered by a seer lady who used to travel with us; she's known Kairon for as long as I do," - which is most of his life, - "and she's seen him fight with Razash more than once. I'm sure she would have recognized them if they were the cause."

No wonder it took her so long to tell me anything… This is nuts.

“It sounds like we’re both walking into this blind, then, huh? Jumping right into the fire…” He tucks the heirloom into his pocket and closes his eyes, nodding as quiet determination builds up inside his gut. “I never considered myself the… heroic type, but I certainly won’t stand by when innocent lives are threatened. We’ll make them pay then, how does that sound? Every last one of them…” He leans forward, one elbow braced on the table. “About acquiring a prosthetic, riches are certainly not an issue for one such as myself. I would be happy to lend any aid financially. The hard part, of course, would be finding an individual who specializes in prosthetics…”

For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures.

For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures.

It took Yijun a moment to recover from the familiar face that just walked into his abode, one of the last he had ever imagined actually meeting. Clearing his throat as Julius spoke, Yijun quickly assumed the immaculate regality of a prince once more.

"Ah yes, lord Julius. I've heard you have been making quite big splashes in the market recently, only sensible to let your guard stay. There are plenty of fish that would love to take a bite of those margins you have been accumulating."

Yijun turned around after a cordial bend at the waist and took place at his desk, motioning for at least Julius to sit as well. Taking a stack of papers off his desk, Yijun briefly rummaged around until he seemingly found what he was looking for.

"As it seems there have been improvements in your quantity and quality. Something very commendable. But tell me, if you please, why come to the royal palace with this, and not any of the hundreds of investors who would love to take this on? Or one of the advisors of the royal palace? It is quite bold to make an appointment with the prince directly, given you are not bestowed with a title."

Yijun laced his fingers together and lightly rested his chin on them, gazing at Julius with soft eyes that hid a terrifying bloodlust in them. Even sitting down, there was an unmistakable haughtiness to Yijun that he navigated with utter perfection. Any moves he made worked flawlessly with his clothes, hair, jewels, and horns, giving him a dreamlike, floating appearance. Along with a skin that almost seemed to glow with health and the markings on his body truly gave him an otherworldly aura, despite looking very human.

"Not to say that the palace wouldn't benefit slightly from more armaments, but I would love to hear what exactly justified you taking precious minutes out of my day."

With a sly smile, Yijun exposed parts of pearly white fangs. His eyes briefly flicked to Akrahan, a peculiar light dancing in them.

While Akrahan spoke, Yijun finished the last of his wine. Perhaps not the best decision, he could feel the pleasant floatiness in his head already, the warmth radiating through his body. It likely wouldn't be long before he lost what little grip he still had on his inhibitions.

And as Akrahan told the story and kept touching him, the more Yijun's mind was pulled back to the scenes in the booklet. How vividly they had been described, and he had imagined them. Funny, at the time, but now. Now he felt himself attracted to the fantasies those pages had spurned, curious to see how real they were. Akrahan was real enough, the scales and warmth of his body matching what had been described on the page, but would he- would he be the same... there?

Yijun's eyes flicked between the fork of Akrahan's legs, back to his eyes. He only was aware of roughly half the story Akrahan was telling, the traveler's voice sometimes overwhelmed by the heart beat in Yijun's ears.

When Akrahan's fingers slid up Yijun's leg, the prince couldn't suppress a soft moan. How intriguing. Please, say more. Much more. His tail twitched, the fins flicking up a little. A smirk started playing up on his lips, and he shifted his position more upright as Akrahan massaged him.

Once the dragonborn stopped, Yijun sat upright, still keeping his leg in Akrahan's grasp. He moaned as he sat up and combed his hands through his long, silky soft hair. "I would loooove for you to keep talking, Travelborn." Some of his words were just ever so slightly slurred. Maybe more than just a little, but it's okay, Yijun didn't notice.

With a decadent gesture, Yijun sat himself down in Akrahan's lap, one leg on either side of the dragon. Damn, even sitting in his lap, Yijun still had to look up to meet his eyes. "But maybe not about the sea, hm? I find myself to be plenty wet already." He placed his hands on Akrahan's chest, the warmth of his body was radiating even through the fabric. Yijun's breathing stopped for a moment, impressed with this 'feat' of his companion. After half a breath, he relaxed again, shifting a little in the other's lap.

The Dragonborn continued to massage the prince's leg, trying to keep up with the increasing expectations. At this pace, this could only end one way. 

“Oh my-” Akrahan’s whole body tenses just slightly with the prince’s bold movements. Royalty suddenly sitting on his lap was enough for his brain to shut down.

Oh my Gods, this is happening…

There’s a deep sigh as Akrahan searches for the right words. “I’m afraid there's nothing brave about the rest of the tale. I’m no hero or champion, I’ve felled no great beasts or stopped any villains. I fled that tomb like a coward, using any spell I had at my disposal to escape. Most days are arduous journeys on dirt roads, living off stale bread and dried meats. It is not an enchanting lifestyle, dear prince.” Akrahan rested his hands on Yijun’s thighs, his palms are warm with shame and nervousness. 

His tail flicked as he thought of some damage control, and luckily, Yijun knew of strategy. Not only a job, but an interest of him as well. A little bit of theatrics, and he should have this in the proverbial bag.

"Tch, you seem to have the wrong impression of heroes and champions. To be a hero, one needs to survive. In order to survive, one needs to know when the best time is to pull away." A clawed finger gently poked Akrahan's armor. "Do you think my family is still in power because we force our armies to fight and fight when the pressure is too strong? That we can imbibe the will of the Gods to just smite our enemy whenever we want? Of course not, we retreat, regroup, and heal our wounded. Silly man." Yijun's eyes glazed over briefly as he thought back to a skirmish that he watched his father command years ago. It was small, not important in the history of his people, but it had made such an impact on him to see his father flawlessly navigate the battles between dragons. It was grander than anything humans can possibly imagine.

"And is the arduous road life not what we read books about all the time? I, for one, adore when the traveler reaches an inn or some other place of respite and takes off their boots and clothes, gets something to eat, washes up. Those chapters relax me. It gives me, the reader, also a sense of ease to read about the mundane. I can only imagine what it's like for you." He stroked his finger over Akrahan's scales. "But why would that turn me away from you? I already knew this. I sit here, in your lap, knowing all this."

“Oh gods,” he muttered under his breath, a huff of air escaping him that was half laugh, half groan. He lifted a hand, rubbing at the spot on his forehead where the prince had flicked him, as if wounded in some noble duel. “You are a menace, you know that?”

He let his hands settle again, this time firmer, with confidence returned. One palm slid smoothly up the prince’s thigh, steady and grounded—not as a bold move, but as a quiet reaffirmation. A touch that said, understood.

“I just…” He exhaled, gaze dropping for a moment. “Forgive me, my Prince, I didn’t want to be a pretender. Not in your eyes.”

His thumb traced a slow circle against Yijun’s leg. “But you’re right. Maybe running isn’t always cowardice. And maybe traveling dusty roads and making a pillow out of your pack for weeks on end doesn’t make you unworthy of a warm place to rest.” He looked up again, golden eyes shining. 

He gave Yijun a crooked smile, head tilting slightly in a sheepish gesture. “I think the wine has gone to my head. But only because you’ve completely knocked the wind out of me.” His hands flexed slightly, thumbs pressing like they were trying to memorize the shape of Yijun’s legs. “So no, no nurse. Unless you’re about to faint too, in which case, I’d be honor-bound to catch you.” The grin returned, slow and teasing, returning the game to its rightful place.

“But if you’re staying in my lap, I’m afraid I’ll need you to do one thing.”

He shifted his hips ever so slightly under the prince, letting the new angle emphasize just how aware he was of Yijun’s weight against him. 

It had been a while since their first meeting in the graveyard. They had met the morning after as they planned, and Anika was impressed by the dragonborn's skills with magic: he might not have been the most expert of the mages she ever met, but he was certainly one who put his soul into what he did. That was something she certainly appreciated.

"You... don't really leave me much choice, but I want you to take what I said more seriously than this, Akrahan." As he extended his hand forward, she took a minute or two to look for something in her bag instead. Once she found it, she reached forward to place her hand on his too, and let something probably familiar drop in his palm. The family heirloom was still intact and well preserved despite the fights she had been through. She gave one more good look at it as her fingers traced its edge on his skin, then she pulled back and took a deeper breath.

"Now, if you decide to stay, it's entirely your decision - and your responsibility, above all. I warned you, I did my part, but you're a grown up guy that can choose for himself and I want to respect it. But, please. If things get dire and I can't protect you, make sure we get another chance for another breakfast like this one."

“Forgive my passion, Anika. Despite my eccentricities, I’m taking everything you say very seriously. After all, it seems to me like a whole city is on the lines.” Akrahan flips the gem between his fingers as his eyes trail down to his nearly empty cup. “I appreciate your due diligence, but I have a good feeling about this. I think you’ve taught me well enough to be able to hold my own.” 

Akrahan chuckles at the mention of breakfast. Anika, if we make it through this, we can have a breakfast like this as many times as you like…

Akrahan leans forward and finally asks the question, “Now that we’ve established that I’ll be sticking around, what is it that we’re up against? Is this all related to Razash Un'Corum? Kairon?” There’s a pause, knowing his mentors want to keep her cards close to her chest, he rephrases the question. 

It had been a while since their first meeting in the graveyard. They had met the morning after as they planned, and Anika was impressed by the dragonborn's skills with magic: he might not have been the most expert of the mages she ever met, but he was certainly one who put his soul into what he did. That was something she certainly appreciated.

"And if that wasn't enough already, that bastard was strong enough to move, and between the shock caused by the wound first and trying to help Kairon after, I lost sight of it and it disappeared." Anika squinted at her cup of tea. "It promised a wonderful reunion... I already feel sorry for the poor bastard it will find next, but it will be even worse if it reaches the hands that it was meant for at the very beginning."

A sigh. She clearly knew much more of the whole situation than she was sharing, but that much would have had to be enough for now. She literally shrugged it all off. "Oh well, for now it's all behind our backs. I already have an idea of who allowed Kairon's return from the look of his wounds by the time we reached the city again, but he refuses to tell the details. I trust he let on only few details about this because he's still on our side, but everything remains to be seen - hopefully in a far future."

"Onto more pressing matters," her voice gained some vigor back, shutting Kairon's face out of her mind for the time being and looking back at the other, "we found out from reliable sources that things in the city are about to get grim. It won't be the easiest context to practice things on, and if it's as bad as the predictions hint, it will be a do or die situation. I cannot go away, but you still can." Her expression softened.

"I would understand if, after this, you wouldn't trust me to be your best pick as a teacher, and I would honestly agree. There's a university here, but also another one in another place, uh... a month away from here by foot, but maybe you'll be lucky and you'll find a cart if you hurry up. It could have been you with me that day. I could have hurt you, and I wouldn't have liked to, not one bit. What I deal with is of very similar nature, however; I can do my best, but I cannot guarantee your safety along the way, it seems."

“Mmm problems for the future. I’m sure that wonderful reunion isn’t an empty threat.” 

Akrahan nods along to what Anika has to say about Kairon’s resurrection.His tone is raspy of course, but also light and reflective. “I hope in time all is revealed. Secrets like that drive me crazy.” He chuckles to himself and runs a hand from the tip of his maw up to the top of his head. 

Akrahan’s expression moves from relaxed to very serious as Anika mentions leaving the city, his maw scrunches up from his disdain of the idea. “Hmm…” He leans back in his chair and stares up at the ceiling in search. “My, my… You live a much more interesting life than I could have imagined. I mean I knew about the rumors, but you really are something else, Anika.” Finally he finds the words from weeks back. “Your practice grounds are going to be my battlefields. That’s what you said to me when we first started.” Akrahan recomposes himself, leaning forward against the table, and looks Anika dead in the eyes. “I’ve known the risks all this time, but more importantly I’ve placed my faith in you.” Akrahan shakes his head, his expression softening. “You’ve been wonderful to me… You had no reason to put yourself at risk teaching me what you know. It’s about time I returned the favor…”

Akrahan extends his arm out across the table, an open palm facing upward.

It took Yijun a moment to recover from the familiar face that just walked into his abode, one of the last he had ever imagined actually meeting. Clearing his throat as Julius spoke, Yijun quickly assumed the immaculate regality of a prince once more.

"Ah yes, lord Julius. I've heard you have been making quite big splashes in the market recently, only sensible to let your guard stay. There are plenty of fish that would love to take a bite of those margins you have been accumulating."

Yijun turned around after a cordial bend at the waist and took place at his desk, motioning for at least Julius to sit as well. Taking a stack of papers off his desk, Yijun briefly rummaged around until he seemingly found what he was looking for.

"As it seems there have been improvements in your quantity and quality. Something very commendable. But tell me, if you please, why come to the royal palace with this, and not any of the hundreds of investors who would love to take this on? Or one of the advisors of the royal palace? It is quite bold to make an appointment with the prince directly, given you are not bestowed with a title."

Yijun laced his fingers together and lightly rested his chin on them, gazing at Julius with soft eyes that hid a terrifying bloodlust in them. Even sitting down, there was an unmistakable haughtiness to Yijun that he navigated with utter perfection. Any moves he made worked flawlessly with his clothes, hair, jewels, and horns, giving him a dreamlike, floating appearance. Along with a skin that almost seemed to glow with health and the markings on his body truly gave him an otherworldly aura, despite looking very human.

"Not to say that the palace wouldn't benefit slightly from more armaments, but I would love to hear what exactly justified you taking precious minutes out of my day."

With a sly smile, Yijun exposed parts of pearly white fangs. His eyes briefly flicked to Akrahan, a peculiar light dancing in them.

While Akrahan spoke, Yijun finished the last of his wine. Perhaps not the best decision, he could feel the pleasant floatiness in his head already, the warmth radiating through his body. It likely wouldn't be long before he lost what little grip he still had on his inhibitions.

And as Akrahan told the story and kept touching him, the more Yijun's mind was pulled back to the scenes in the booklet. How vividly they had been described, and he had imagined them. Funny, at the time, but now. Now he felt himself attracted to the fantasies those pages had spurned, curious to see how real they were. Akrahan was real enough, the scales and warmth of his body matching what had been described on the page, but would he- would he be the same... there?

Yijun's eyes flicked between the fork of Akrahan's legs, back to his eyes. He only was aware of roughly half the story Akrahan was telling, the traveler's voice sometimes overwhelmed by the heart beat in Yijun's ears.

When Akrahan's fingers slid up Yijun's leg, the prince couldn't suppress a soft moan. How intriguing. Please, say more. Much more. His tail twitched, the fins flicking up a little. A smirk started playing up on his lips, and he shifted his position more upright as Akrahan massaged him.

Once the dragonborn stopped, Yijun sat upright, still keeping his leg in Akrahan's grasp. He moaned as he sat up and combed his hands through his long, silky soft hair. "I would loooove for you to keep talking, Travelborn." Some of his words were just ever so slightly slurred. Maybe more than just a little, but it's okay, Yijun didn't notice.

With a decadent gesture, Yijun sat himself down in Akrahan's lap, one leg on either side of the dragon. Damn, even sitting in his lap, Yijun still had to look up to meet his eyes. "But maybe not about the sea, hm? I find myself to be plenty wet already." He placed his hands on Akrahan's chest, the warmth of his body was radiating even through the fabric. Yijun's breathing stopped for a moment, impressed with this 'feat' of his companion. After half a breath, he relaxed again, shifting a little in the other's lap.

The Dragonborn continued to massage the prince's leg, trying to keep up with the increasing expectations. At this pace, this could only end one way. 

“Oh my-” Akrahan’s whole body tenses just slightly with the prince’s bold movements. Royalty suddenly sitting on his lap was enough for his brain to shut down.

Oh my Gods, this is happening…

There’s a deep sigh as Akrahan searches for the right words. “I’m afraid there's nothing brave about the rest of the tale. I’m no hero or champion, I’ve felled no great beasts or stopped any villains. I fled that tomb like a coward, using any spell I had at my disposal to escape. Most days are arduous journeys on dirt roads, living off stale bread and dried meats. It is not an enchanting lifestyle, dear prince.” Akrahan rested his hands on Yijun’s thighs, his palms are warm with shame and nervousness. 

It had been a while since their first meeting in the graveyard. They had met the morning after as they planned, and Anika was impressed by the dragonborn's skills with magic: he might not have been the most expert of the mages she ever met, but he was certainly one who put his soul into what he did. That was something she certainly appreciated.

"My right hand? I cut it off." Her throat felt dry all of a sudden, but she struggled with herself to keep a calm demeanor on the outside, also careful to keep her voice down so that Akrahan could be the only one to hear her. "I was not the owner of that sword, but I had used it before. Far more carefully... But I knew that it had taken a liking to being wielded by me instead of Kairon, my teammate. Its name is Razash Un'Corum, meaning Lord of Flesh; it is strong enough to be sentient and speak to you, not to mention the abilities it carries."

"Kairon had fallen to the floor on the brink of death during that fight with the fey. We were both invisible, but those little monsters had spotted him by then, all on their feet and mostly unharmed while the two of us had started to falter. When I called for the blade, it reacter gladly to my bloodlust and just flew into my hand. It was a massacre, but Kairon preferred to stand back up to help me instead of going into hiding, and..."

Too vulnerable. Recalling what happened was making her way too vulnerable for her taste, and even if she trusted the other, she deeply despised her own weakness about this whole situation. Not that she could still afford to deny the feelings that made it all so difficult, but because her loss of control was what really led to disaster. She sighed and returned to stare at the dragonborn, this time dead serious.

Akrahan visibly winces when she mentions her hand. "Good gods..." He closes his eyes and listens intently, hands clasped together in front of his face, almost as if he's in prayer. Focusing on each word, and for the first time, choosing not to interrupt with some stupid comment.

When Anika pauses, Akrahan fights the urge to comfort or reassure her. From his perspective, he is already walking a fine line with Anika's trust. He simply opens his eyes to meet hers.

When her story finished, the Dragonborn took another sip of coffee. "I'm sorry. Undoubtedly, that was an incredibly physically and emotionally taxing experience... While I have no hands-on experience with weapons of such caliber, I've read about them plenty in my school days." He smiles weakly. "It sounds to me like you made the right choices. There's always a price to pay, and if you stayed with that blade I can't imagine that we would be talking right now."

Another sip of coffee...

I should have picked a sweeter beverage for this conversation.

"...I'm honored you shared that with me." Akrahan squints as he thinks back on Kairon. "I don't know much about this Kairon individual, but I won't lie and say that I'm not a little bit concerned with how quickly he came back. If there was a deal made, I can't imagine the price was cheap. And with whom..?"

It had been a while since their first meeting in the graveyard. They had met the morning after as they planned, and Anika was impressed by the dragonborn's skills with magic: he might not have been the most expert of the mages she ever met, but he was certainly one who put his soul into what he did. That was something she certainly appreciated.

"I'm better than I look, don't stress it too much," she attempted to spark the tone of the conversation a little from the very start despite the obvious. "I and a friend of mine had to go to the woods for an emergency. Uhh..." she blinked and looked away, as if to search for the right words somewhere by her side. "...let's say that a relative of his absolutely needed some medicine, and the ingredients needed to make it were in possession of some tricky fey."

Akrahan squint as his eyes met Anika's as if trying peer past her words. "...Tricky fey. Well we can obviously both relate to that." He takes a sip of his coffee as he continues. His face twisting a little bit from the bitter taste. "I appreciate the warning... I know I can be a difficult student at times, but I always appreciate any guidance you have to offer, oh mentor mine."

Akrahan sets his cup down again and stares into the inky black as he searches for the right words to convey the week's worth of uncertainty. "Do you really trust me enough to go into details...?" There's a sharp exhale of air. "Don't get me wrong, I would be honored, but I don't intend to be the fool strung along by half-truths and vague warnings... This has clearly grown beyond a simple lesson." He hides his face behind another sip of coffee. Like the drink, his tone is a bit more bitter. His eyes raise slightly to Anika's visible hand.