wнen тнe мoυnтaιn тoυcнeѕ тнe valley. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
midvalley) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
midvalley) wrote in pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
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[ Dorian, naturally, is goddamned fascinated, while those nearby are horrified. There might even be a few muffled cries of alarm. ]
How does that work, exactly? The tomes I found were quite vague on the topic. Transmutation, clearly, but is it, perhaps, a form of alchemy? An illusion, maybe?
How does that work, exactly? The tomes I found were quite vague on the topic. Transmutation, clearly, but is it, perhaps, a form of alchemy? An illusion, maybe?
Tell you what. I'll explain whatever you like, once I check on Blue and get the hell out of this place in once piece.
Only if you behave yourself and do as I say.
[ It's at about that point that Owen notices the flicker of a light beam, and straining his ears, he hears the sound of low conversation. He grabs Ian by the elbow, pulling him into some bushes. Owen brings a finger to his lips, which is a little redundant as the voices come closer. ]
[ It's at about that point that Owen notices the flicker of a light beam, and straining his ears, he hears the sound of low conversation. He grabs Ian by the elbow, pulling him into some bushes. Owen brings a finger to his lips, which is a little redundant as the voices come closer. ]
[ Ian doesn't have to be told twice to hide- though, of all the things he didn't understand, he really meant to ask Owen what a "thermal reading" is, because as the men approach, they start tossing those words around again. ]
Well. Most of the dragons I've encountered or heard about grow inexplicably hostile when approached. Perhaps they find the drawn weapons and grimacing faces unpleasant.
[ Ah, shit.
There's nothing he can do about that. Owen turns to Ian and holds up a hand and curls it into a fist -- a hand motion to freeze -- because one of the two men glances down at his wrist and turns to face them directly. ]
Whoever's there--
[ --is all he gets out before Owen jumps from their hiding place, tackling him to the ground. The second man struggles to bring his assault rifle around, but Owen's on him quickly enough, grabbing the strap of his gun and yanking. Owen gets control of the rifle as the man stumbles and uses the butt of the weapon to land a heavy blow on each man's head, knocking them unconscious.
He goes still, listening for movement or anything that would signal that the commotion was overheard. Silence is the only thing that greets him, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
Picking up one of the men by his ankles, he starts dragging his unconscious form toward the bushes. ]
Grab the other guy, would you?
There's nothing he can do about that. Owen turns to Ian and holds up a hand and curls it into a fist -- a hand motion to freeze -- because one of the two men glances down at his wrist and turns to face them directly. ]
Whoever's there--
[ --is all he gets out before Owen jumps from their hiding place, tackling him to the ground. The second man struggles to bring his assault rifle around, but Owen's on him quickly enough, grabbing the strap of his gun and yanking. Owen gets control of the rifle as the man stumbles and uses the butt of the weapon to land a heavy blow on each man's head, knocking them unconscious.
He goes still, listening for movement or anything that would signal that the commotion was overheard. Silence is the only thing that greets him, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
Picking up one of the men by his ankles, he starts dragging his unconscious form toward the bushes. ]
Grab the other guy, would you?
[ Ian has to admit, that was impressive. He’s no stranger to what a human warrior can do- he’s got a fair few humans on his crew back home- but it’s nice to know just what his companion is capable of.
He steps out from his hiding place and grabs the other man by the back of the tactical vest he’s wearing and drags him, one-handed, into the foliage, dumping him unceremoniously next to his friend. ]
They keep talking about “thermal readings”, and I assume that’s how they keep finding me. What is that? Can we guard against it?
He steps out from his hiding place and grabs the other man by the back of the tactical vest he’s wearing and drags him, one-handed, into the foliage, dumping him unceremoniously next to his friend. ]
They keep talking about “thermal readings”, and I assume that’s how they keep finding me. What is that? Can we guard against it?
[ Right. Part raptor. It would logically follow that the guy was strong. Owen looks thoughtful for a moment, then, ]
Easiest way to do it is find something big and solid to hide behind. Rocks are best. Trees a close second.
Easiest way to do it is find something big and solid to hide behind. Rocks are best. Trees a close second.
I'll bear that in mind.
We should get moving. There's liable to be more of them, and if they've caught up it means we've dawdled for too long.
We should get moving. There's liable to be more of them, and if they've caught up it means we've dawdled for too long.
[ Dorian stops as well, turning to face the other man; there's a wariness in his gaze, though his tone doesn't change in the slightest. ]
A month or two ago, perhaps three. There are several wandering around aimlessly in Emprise du Lion, alone. Quite hostile, actually. Rather fond of attacking trade caravans.
Will this be a problem?
A month or two ago, perhaps three. There are several wandering around aimlessly in Emprise du Lion, alone. Quite hostile, actually. Rather fond of attacking trade caravans.
Will this be a problem?
[ He nods once, shouldering one of the men's rifles. He hesitates as he picks up the second man's weapon, but he tosses it to Ian all the same. He'll have to keep a closer eye on him, now that Owen has armed him with something more appropriate for this century, but they're both in the same boat, as far as Owen's concerned. At least for now. ]
Automatic weapon. It'll serve you a lot better than the antique you've got there. [ Which he punctuates with a sharp nod to Ian's pistol. ]
Lead the way.
Automatic weapon. It'll serve you a lot better than the antique you've got there. [ Which he punctuates with a sharp nod to Ian's pistol. ]
Lead the way.
[ He takes a moment to inspect the rifle. At least the trigger is fairly straightforward. He can probably figure it out from there.
Probably. ]
Thank you. I think.
[ He slings the rifle over his shoulder, and after scenting the air again, he starts off into the trees. It isn't long, however, until more flashlight beams start to cut through the darkness. ]
... There's no end to these fellows, is there?
Probably. ]
Thank you. I think.
[ He slings the rifle over his shoulder, and after scenting the air again, he starts off into the trees. It isn't long, however, until more flashlight beams start to cut through the darkness. ]
... There's no end to these fellows, is there?
Not really. They're persistent when it comes to making a profit.
[ Owen sights a couple of boulders nearby, concealed by fallen branches and logs, and he rushes over to them, hissing quietly to get Ian's attention. The residual heat of the day should probably trick any thermal scanners in the meantime. ]
[ Owen sights a couple of boulders nearby, concealed by fallen branches and logs, and he rushes over to them, hissing quietly to get Ian's attention. The residual heat of the day should probably trick any thermal scanners in the meantime. ]
[ Ian follows, glancing over his shoulder as he does. ]
It may be difficult to find the-- Blue. To find Blue with all of these people poking around.
It may be difficult to find the-- Blue. To find Blue with all of these people poking around.
[ Another nod, though reluctantly given, as he ducks behind the cover of the boulders, kneeling and crossings his arms over his chest. Making as small a signature as he can, just in case.
He breathes in, then out, trying to come up with a plan of attack. There are more men here than he had assumed. ]
Might have to leave. They're probably looking for you.
He breathes in, then out, trying to come up with a plan of attack. There are more men here than he had assumed. ]
Might have to leave. They're probably looking for you.
[ He shrugs a shoulder delicately. ]
Perhaps your dragons found their way to Thedas after encountering one too many Dragon Slayers in your land. They're not common, exactly, but it's not unheard of to spot one flying overhead.
Perhaps your dragons found their way to Thedas after encountering one too many Dragon Slayers in your land. They're not common, exactly, but it's not unheard of to spot one flying overhead.
And what of Blue, then? If they can't find me, it's likely they'll go after her.
[ He presses his lips into a thin line, grim and unhappy. ]
I know.
[ Rough. Displeased. ]
We don't have many options, here. Even if we find her, what after that? Not like I can smuggle her to the mainland.
I know.
[ Rough. Displeased. ]
We don't have many options, here. Even if we find her, what after that? Not like I can smuggle her to the mainland.
[ He raises an eyebrow, then continues walking. This isn't the type of conversation one should have with curious onlookers marveling at the appearance of the strange man speaking with the suspected blood mage. ]
I wasn't aware dragons were capable of teaching.
I wasn't aware dragons were capable of teaching.
[ He thinks on this for a moment, back pressed against the stone. ]
There is the issue of getting me back where I belong as well, but- Gods willing- I could take her with me.
There is the issue of getting me back where I belong as well, but- Gods willing- I could take her with me.
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