Allan

It's been... it's been such a long week. It took a great deal of researching-- but I found it. The perfect relic.

The world of Tyria is... a fascinating place. It's people are so diverse. Their varied cultures so wonderful. Everything from large cat-people to walking plants-- like dryads, but a bit more humanoid. I would have loved to spent more time with the Asura-- such a strange race of almost gremlin looking people. But their technological advances well made up for their strange behaviours. I'd like to go back sometime. Compare notes. See what I could learn. I can't say that Lisska enjoyed herself as much as I did? The bugs in this world are huge-- impressive massive. She had a bit too much fun frying them in the air. I must do something kind for her later, to thank her for coming with me to this place. To the province of Maguuma. I do not think I would have survived the jungles without her.


It took a week, way longer then I had anticipated-- but we located the Heart we were after. A dragon's soul. An ancient being that seemed to have passed upon the planet eons ago. So long, that her body had decayed into the forest itself, and her bones had become the tree's around her. Her soul was a whisper. A trickle of a stream and nearly suffocated by the forest. But I can feel her potential. A soul this old? It's the perfect find. Filled with wisdom and gentle enough to guide. A being so beautiful should not be left to wither away alone. It was a pleasure to take her tired soul home with us.

All this hassle will be worth it. I'm sure of it.

The trip itself, while prolonged? It as good as could be expected. A few scraps, nothing terrible. What I had not expected, when I returned to Guildriem? Is to run into Orchid so quickly. It still boils my blood to imagine the renting I saved her from. Who would let their slaves suffer such foul creatures. I would never-- well. If I owned a slave, I would never let them be preyed upon... as wrong as slavery is? It's bad enough to be OWNED like you're an object, and not a person-- let alone be left to the whims of filth. I think, I think I might have hurt Orchid's feeling that night. I was far too tired from my trip and annoyed with the scenario. But she... she's stronger then she looks. I need to remind myself that. She's been through so much.

She provided such... good company tonight. It soothed my road weary bones to relax with her in the springs-- after the, uh. Awkwardness. You'd think for my age, I'd be able to control certain bodily responses... I feel terrible. She didn't seem to notice, but? She has to deal with so much, she doesn't need that on top of it. I know it's... natural when you're attracted to an aesthetically pleasing form, but still. Huh. Am I attracted to her? It's... I can't say. I don't know. Levinth still weights on my heart. I digress. I had known Orchid was an empath-- she explained as much the first night we sat under the stars. But I had no idea she could send emotions and memories as well as receive them. I hate the memories she leaked over to me. I do not mind that they were shared-- it isn't her fault. But I loath what she's had to endure. I hate the bastard. Thomas. I should have Leo look into his record. See what he can dig up for me. Now that I have a name.

I can't wait to finish her gift. Hopefully this soul gem is up to the task of piloting it...

Her laughter! Oh, you should have heard it. How it slipped from such sweet lips, to flit around the Tether. Like she was one of my sparrows, caught along my arm and singing. I think.. no, I do like this lady, this little flower. Orchid. I should take her dancing again some time, in a place better than this haunted crypt. Despite her claims to not be able too. Hah. She danced just fine. Her sight is not the handicap she thinks it is. Yet... perhaps I can do something for that? I'll need to do some research. Regardless! I will certainly have to rent her again, and have her help model more of my jewelry and clockworks.

The bard who played for us, while we tried to peddle my wares in the tether was very accommodating as well. Gilana. I'll have to remember her name... as well I met Sojourn to day. An interesting lioness-- I have heard her name before, but I can not place the memory. So much happened my last time on this island. Perhaps she'll forgive me, for not recognizing the name. But, it's good to make new connections in this place.

The only thing that ruined the night-- was Lisska! That darned pesky... She would waltz in while I'm trying to sell some of my, uh, more sensitive items. Ahem. What would mother think indeed! She wouldn't think anything, dear sister. After everything we've been through? A doubt a few chastity belts would scare her.

HEALTH ⇢ 38% (Condition is improving, right arm and portion of his shoulder has been replaced with a prosthetic. He is now awake, although remains weak, and mistrusting. He is currently struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and his behavior maybe irrational.)

It would seem all the hospital care that Dracia was able to muster, was not completely able to save the Unicorn. They were keeping his body alive, yes, but his soul itself? It had long since slipped through their fingers and had risen to Aether for its eternal rest. It took the intervention of Gaella, the Mistress of Fate and Destiny from Azear to give her aid to Levinth. The serpent would find himself suspended in a dream like realm, attempting to hunt down the soul of his beloved where he rested and convince him to return to the realm of the living.

It was not an easy task-- for the Unicorn was tormented by his last few living hours, and the visions of nightmares threatened to leave him corrupted and a mere shadow of his previous glory.

He was alive-- but not living. The haunted look in those dull blue eyes was frighteningly empty more oft then not, and very little earned a reaction from his nearly comatose state. Was it worth it Levinth? The lengths you traveled? He was only broken on the outside-- but the inside as well.

Ten years was a blink of an eye for an immortal being. But spend ten years enslaved, and every second droned on into an eternity marked only by the inventive torture of his captors.

It took the combined efforts of Leonin, Lisska, and Levinth--- the triple team of L's to rescue Allan from the depths of a fortress in a world far more different then our own.

At present Allan remains unconscious and being treated for the extent of his wounds by physicians hired by Levinth, on the Cobra's home world of Dracia. His wounds are in a wealth that has left his spiritual and physical body requiring a tremendous amount time and effort to regenerate.

One can only hope that he will eventually regain consciousness.

Red.
All he could see was red. It reminded him of the burning sun that hung low over the oceans of home world. It was comforting, that beautiful color smeared across his eyes. A warm memory against the numb sensation of the cold ground. Ocean blue eyes fluttered closed, blonde lashes resting against pale cheeks that remained smeared with blood and grime.

It was so cold.
So cold that he could no longer feel the pain. Yet there was still a dull tightness in his chest with every breath. Maybe it would be better not to breath, then. The cold was so welcoming. The darkness looming in the back of his mind purring softly to embrace him.

Then, he realized, not breathing was kind of a silly thing. It felt... wrong. He struggled briefly, fighting against his own body before a gurgled noise escaped his lips, and blood bubbled forward as he gave a stubborn gasp for air. For life.

He laid there for what felt like the stretch of eternity, forcing his lungs to breath and fighting away the darkness that coiled in the back of his mind. His lungs burned, and he pondered how peaceful it could have been. How simple it would have been to accept death in this moment.

Eyes rolled, and he tossed a blurry gaze over the burnt ground before him. Somewhere in the distance light gleamed over small golden forms. He stared stupidly for several heartbeats, before he realized they were his children. Or rather-- his sparrows. But to him? They were children. A strangled sound pushed more blood from him, and it dripped from his mouth onto the earth before him.

His vision swam, and he closed his eyes to fight away the nausea and darkness that loomed ever present in the back of his mind. It was nothing compared to the loss of his creations.

A few tortured breaths were given, before the inventor dared to open his eyes again and reach forward. Or he tried to reach forward, but one arm just didn't seem to respond to him. Had he broken it? He must have. That was sure to hurt. How had he broken his arm? The memory of betrayal swirled bitterly in the back of his mind, and he tried to laugh. It was nothing but a gurgle of blood in the back of his throat. The inventor hoisted himself upward with one arm, and took several slow antagonizing moments to crawl towards the golden creatures that laid crushed and broken in the grass before him.

That alone took the good out of him, and he collapsed beside them with a cough that racked his body. The blood splattered over the grass, droplets of red falling over the polished gold metal. It was with a trembling hand that he reached to pull one of those avian creatures before him. Its lifeless frame rolling to his palm, and the sight of it brought tears to his eyes. The tears left streaks through the dirt and blood, and all he could do was stare upon it stupidly.

They would pay. If he survived. They would pay.

He laid there a broken man. Those mechanical wings sprawled in awkward positions and blood soaking through his filthy clothing. A regal attire that looked nothing like it might have once. Then again-- neither did Allan. With flesh covered in ugly lacerations and bruises-- but those were nothing when compared to the fact his entire right arm was missing.

Three months later he was free-- but had nearly cost him everything. Including his life.

HEALTH ⇢ 15% (Severely injured; completely missing his right arm and a portion of the shoulder. His right lung is deflated as well, likely due to a set of nasty stab wounds along his back. As if someone had been trying to pry his wings from his spine. Other minor cuts and bruises cover his body. Its a miracle he survived-- immortal or not.)

The days ticked past until finally, it was deemed, something had happened. It was unlike the unicorn to go such a lengths of time without a warning. It was particularly out of character considering his recent attachment to a certain gilded serpent.

Yet all that remained of him in the Tether was in his room; scattered notes about several commissions and scattered sketches of potential new designs. There was no sign of a struggle; the room looked neat. Too neat, in fact, for Allan's scattered attention span. It looked almost as if someone had cleaned it. Removed any evidence of what might have transpired.