Silence (Ixenmi)

[Ixenmi]

"Everyone is entitled to their own sorrow, for the heart has no metrics or form of measure."

She had longed to see the frozen lands. How long had it been, that she had aimlessly wandered the sand filled wastes of Nabata. She loathed the heat. Though, like most of her kind she had no real need to shelter herself from it she still found it to her great distaste... For as she as she found the cold much to her preference. Now that she had found it? The sheer sensations of the cold. The snow as it traced her porcelain skin; the white hue of her complexion showing her affinity in the way it complimented her image with it cascading down in graceful decent around her. The feeling of frozen soil beneath her bare feet. It was a welcome taste opposite of the hot boiling sands of Nabata. Even so, she had grown to enjoy the touch so much that she knew she could easily spend a few hundred years here and not grow tired of it. Now she found herself moving through the woods. Energy filled her with unbridled joy as she moved through the frigid forest, elegant steps upon bare feet made in fluidic motions. Ixenmi slowly swayed her arms as she occasionally spun in step; dancing all the while. Humans bundled up their frail figures, hiding away from such a beautiful form of nature.

Her body moved with wraith like whisps of fabric trailing after her. Living much of her life among humans as a dancer, Ixenmi wore clothing that barely concealed her hauntingly attractive figure; despite the chill that gave her no small comforts. Golden bangles around her wrists jingled faintly as she lifted her hands to dance further, legs shifting from her sliding one foot out only to raise another bent at the knee and lean forwards into a cartwheel before spinning back to her feet. She looked up with an expression of mirth at the sky. Ilia, a frozen wasteland? No. Ilia, the land of perfection. Ixenmi's eyes however darted as her attention shifted. She could smell the approaching humans before they were within earshot.

As per her kind, her senses were superior to the average humans in such regards. Especially her sense of smell. Males, a small pack of them. Was that what it was called, a group of humans? She couldn't recall. Not that she cared. However it bothered her that such a group moved through her woods. She hadn't been there but a few days and found the land much to her liking. She wasn't...territorial per say. She simply didn't want such a beautiful place fouled up by humans constantly moving with their noise and foul presence. It bothered her already. Surely, were she given time the Manakete would have staked out a claim of Ilian land of her own. However that was a process she could not go about, for strong though she was she would not rouse human armies. She, like most of her kind knew what happened the last time dragons fought armies. Didn't end so well. Ixenmi's poise shifted as she moved behind a tree at the approaching brigands. The conversation reached her ears a moment later.

"By the way, if I wer` yeu, I'd be gettin' ready. Dese days'ed probably be da last `appy memories of yer lucky liddle life. D`ese slave traders ar' sickos. Ye'll probably lose yer sanity before ye turn 18."

Ixenmi felt an instant swell of disgust. Toxic memories of her first contact with humans upon leaving Arcadia swiftly flashed through her mind. Each one caused the woman's expression to darken and gaze grow colder. Though she could enjoy the forest, she could enjoy the cold and even the snow...the heartless fury towards humanity she had slowly started to quell over the past eighty or so years seemed to instantly resurface. A loathsome distaste that made her consider their deaths simply for having the misfortune to mutter such disgusting words within her presence even if unknowingly. Ixenmi had, in a better time taken great joy in her dancing talents bringing mirth to other's hearts.

Here? This time and life? No. Not so much. Humans had soured that many years ago. That all of humanity could suffer for the miseries put upon her would not be enough to satisfy her if she had her way. Now embittered, she slowly began to peer from behind her tree to examine the situation. Multiple humans, muscle bound witless thugs that she had encountered the like of several times over. A small child, a feminine looking human that smelled male. The situation made sense. At-least to her, given then child's appearance. Living most of her life as an entertainer in Arcadia, a performer; Ixenmi could erase the cold murderous gaze from her visage as she altered her expression. Like a ghostly apparition the woman slowly glided out unto the forest path before the approaching males. Her hands moved to clasp at her forearms beneath her bust as she folded her arms. Her outfit left little to the imagination true, but beyond that the fact that she did not hide herself from the extreme Ilian colds had already confused more than one human.

Her expression was one of deception. Welcoming green eyes, a gaze of smoldering emeralds that housed an intensity of great passions. Concealing behind those passionate eyes the source of the passion. A murderous rage, a desire to sunder the foul men's souls until non-existence. Her lips curved into a smile most welcoming, as she spoke with honeyed words of sultry tones while turning to step to the sides once more now moving off the path after having been seen by the passing group. A ghostly touch as her hand moved to trail along the side of a tree near the path while vanishing from sight briefly behind it.

"My my. What is it that lies before my eyes? Surely you gentlemen do not mean harm upon this child, do you?"

Anxious fingers slowly slid down her side as she appeared in sight. The motion while construed as one of temptation masked the devious intent, her hand resting upon the hidden gemstone her cloak draped from her shoulders covered. It rested, encased within the golden bangle which wove around her hips. Fingers lightly traced it in circles gingerly as she felt the chilled magic within responding to her touch, as if she roused a great slumbering source. Her gaze drifted from the muscle bound men to the child, a direct gaze upon the feminine male as she spoke in a confident yet still honeyed tone.

"Tell me young one. Do they truly take you to your home? Or would you be free of them?"

Every action seemed to tempt. She used her entire poise as bait. Every motion, word and lingering moment of her gaze a lure. A predator unknowingly tempting the prey to enter the den upon it's own accord. A long past-time of hers in such regards. A thrill like no other, to see the horror as humans were struck from their daze.

[Nyroshea]

The small lad felt his feet placed once again on the cold Ilian ground. Now they were forcing him to walk? Why not just chop off his legs and force him to crawl while they were at it, maybe add hot coal to the ground and make it all the more rousing! Grumbling as he paced, he took note that the hand in back of him stopped moving. Forcing him to come to a halt in his pacing as well.

Looking back he saw them all awestruck like they'd seen a ghost. Well, if they were so distracted, maybe they'd be interested in letting him go? No? ... Yeah he didn't think so either. His yellow eyes moved to see: a strange woman -- not particularly strange in the sense that she had any oddities about her. But strange as in out of place, or rather, too in place. A dark forest with some radiant ghastly maiden of sorts was perfectly natural but not something he'd ever expect to see in his life time. Her motions were mesmerizing, though probably for different reasons to the small lad than the big brutes accompanying him.

There was a sense of nostalgia to those movements; it reminded him of Xia, one of the dancers in the troupe he used to perform with. She was always trying to be seductive, even when not performing. Could the stranger have been some dancer too? Before he could even think to ask, the other brutes stepped forward.

"Nay, womun. W`e're just takin' `er out on a stroll. Might you be willin' to join our merry band?" "Yoi, boss, we should be keepin' dis one fer ourselves, we should."

Of course, Nyro rolled his eyes in the background. These people were something worse than mere brigands ... they were quite possibly perverts to boot. If that were the case he could probably use something to coax them onto the other woman--but then again, getting her in danger for his sake would be the amoral thing to do.

"........I.... am fine here.... " he fibbed, shaking his head to convey his true feelings on the manner. If he said they weren't going to take him home, they'd possibly bring harm upon his petite form. With their eyes too busy gawking on the beauteous curves before them, Nyro couldn't say anything to endanger himself, but he could certainly use his body language to express the urgency of the situation he was in.

"Hear dat? Every'fin's alright wiff us, womun~" the leader spoke arrogantly, being so bold as to approach the pristine beauty with his lackey. His hand reached upwards grabbing the wooden pole on his back that connected to the metal thing from before. An adult would be more difficult to suppress--though the aim was to intimidate being that they wanted to keep her for themselves--probably.

[Ixenmi]

It was not the first time thoughtless lingering eyes had fixed into a wanting leer upon her. She was positive it would not be the last either. Silly little sheep. They couldn't see the wolf before them, simply because of the pretty pelt and nice eyes. How funny...and yet..how dull? No perhaps that wasn't the right word. True, humans were dull but that wasn't it. How..sad? A much better term. How sad. That they'd been unable to detect any notion of threat from the woman. Atleast some questioned her aptitude to survive in such colds clothed as she was. These buffoons though? Not even a thought in their brains..well..no useful thoughts. As she noticed the child's answer, she could smell it. Fear. Confusion. Eyes of an almost hypnotic level of allure suddenly hardened into a cold almost ruthless gaze.

Her hands extended upwards as she leaned backwards while the large muscle bound fool approached. Certainly, of the three men he would be the first to die. Perhaps, for the child's sake, she'd give them one last chance. Shifting her body weight the female gracefully caught her wait upon the ground and shifted to a hand-stand before wheeling back unto her bare feet.

Her gaze still rooted upon the man she slowly shifted her hand beneath the cloak draped over her shoulders. Ixenmi felt her dragonstone's power as her finger lightly caressed the hidden gem. Both hands fell to her side now hidden by the cloak draped over her shoulders. Though it wasn't strong enough of a glow to be seen through the fabric blocking the visuals of such; the gem indeed glowed a light blue light in response to her touch. At her finger tips, the power to shed her human form and be her true self. To crush the fools, freeze them to their very bone and crush their essence beneath the raw fury of her hatred for the majority of humans. How..fun it would be. However..first for that warning chance. When she spoke her voice no longer carried the sultry tone. A confident edge dominated the vocals with an almost amused hint lingering in them as well.

"I've a new proposition. You shall leave the child with me. If so, you may all live. I'll even allow you to leave here. If not..well..let's just say I'm far more cold hearted than I seem. It'd be a shame if no one heard from you after you entered the forest..wouldn't it? "

Her beauty never wavered, yet it seemed to conform into a frightening aspect. As if she could bring them to their knees in agony with but the lethal edge of her gaze. The blue haired woman waited quietly for the answer, lingering her gaze upon the three brigands.

[Nyroshea]

'This woman sure is frightening.' were the next thoughts to enter Nyrosheas head. Maybe he would be better off with the bandits. There was something very chilling about her, and it wasn't just the Ilian snow pressing on his slim form. It was something different, something ... not of this world. Still, she had offered to save him, there must have been some flickering warmth in that cold, daunting gaze of hers.

Nyro turned his head back, feeling the grip on his shoulders loosen. The man standing behind him... was frightened.

"T-this woman's.... a-a demon! She'll put a curse on us all!" he cried out finally, breaking that stoic silent type trope he had going for him. The man seemed to be more of a superstitious sort. Nyro couldn't believe it, but--at least now he got those smelly mitts off of him. His comrade turned to face him, irritated.

"Why's ih`t always curses wit` you? First ya r'fuse tah take dat old grampies chest because it had some rune on the hatch. Now ya scared of sum` psycho bruhd?" and it sounded like he wasn't a first time offender.
...
Still, maybe he was the smarter one of the bunch. He knew danger when he saw it. And he would probably by the only one to survive.

"Ya twit. If'in ya leave this time, you ain't gettin` a dime o` dis." the one in front grudgingly called back, but his eyes never stopped leering at the woman before him. He couldn't let his precious prize get away after all. "Ah dinnae` care, man. Least ah`ll be livin' to see the daylight tomorrow!" he scampers off, really quickly for one of his size and bulk. -- 'Hey wait, I'm free!' Nyro realized finally. ... He'd quickly scurry past several trees. Before remembering his basket was in the other thugs hands. 'Cripes, I can't just leave here without it.' he cursed beneath his breath, turning around. Ah--not too quickly now. The other fella might be looking for him. Just carefully re-approach in silence...

*crunch ... crunch* went his feet in the snow...

...

"Now ya've done it. Scared off me mun and one of me prizes. P`raps ah should show ya `ow cold `earted I can be." the man brings his axe overhead and to the side, careful not to damage the estranged woman too much, he swings to hit her with the blunt of his axe with a tremendous force.

[Ixenmi]

How long had it been since she had last actually fought a human? It wasn't a real worry to her however. A fox did not find it hard to hunt rabbits when it hadn't for some time. After all...little rabbits found it natural to run...where as a fox found it simply instinct to prey upon the rabbit. Ixenmi's gaze became nothing but venomous as the man attempted to approach her. He embodied every aspect she loathed among humans. Every small personality trait he had displayed was one she would have willingly destroyed someone for. Now..as his companion scurried away Ixenmi realized perhaps it was time to simply...stretch her wings a bit. Sultry lips shifted into a slight grin. Oh the cruelty behind such a grin that they would never fathom. Despite her curves the woman had no hindrance to her movement as the man attempted to hit her with the flat of his ax. Her body moved with a grace that resembled flowing water; both arms stretching outwards above her head as she shifted her weight backwards to flawlessly wheel herself back while maintaining a low height by how she bent downwards. Her legs briefly lifted into the air simultaneously before one swiftly extended down to firmly root herself to the ground and once more shift back upon both feet.

As if the man was so slow she could leisurely evade him. As her gaze lingered on him a brief moment longer, satisfaction sank in. She would keep a conscious mind not to harm the little plum haired male. Luckily his scent was far /far/ different than the others even with the fragrance that seemingly masked the masculine aspects. Ixenmi's fingers grazed along her hips once more...yet only for her finger to touch the gem rooted in the golden bangle. This time she did not hide it. Her cloak did not mask it and as her fingers touched it a bright light blue radiance pulsed outwards. A shockwave like gust of frigid air resonated from Ixenmi's body before the light blinded all to her presence.

Her laughter echoed with a ghostly echo of sorts as she taunted the brigand. "No my dear. I am far colder still.."

Ice started to form around her as light blue wings burst from her back and covered her entire body. Still masked by light, a shattering sound of sorts could be heard as she transformed into her true form. Tree's gave way to the pressure suddenly from powerful extended limbs as Ixenmi felt the smooth pleasant shiver of comfort at finally stretching out take hold of her. Massive radiant light blue wings broke into the sky. Both terrifying in size and hauntingly beautiful from the ice blue membrane of translucence allowing blue pigmented light from the sun to reveal the draconic form briefly. Until she moved so she blocked it properly to gaze down upon the ants brigands. A towering shadow replaced the bright light from her dragon-stone that had been hiding her figure. The air began to grow much colder as a powerful chill exhaled from monstrous jaws. A colossal Ice Dragon towered now over them. Powerful limbs made room as she gazed to them. Icy mist spewed from her jaws, a simple forewarning to the dangerous torrent of frozen wind like icy she could exhale in place of a normal dragon's fire. A single limb lifted as her long razor nail pressed to the center of the brigands chest. As if to poke him. In reality the proud dragon simply showed that had she wanted to, in that moment he would have been dead. Two rabbits after all, could do nothing to fend off a fox. Simply flee. In her mind Ixenmi thought to herself while towering above the men.

Run little rabbit. Run