A Journey Through the Dreams

Light velvet held around her shoulders, by a tie of silk. A nervous twinge in her stomach, as she waited. Two long blows of a ship's horn. A hard lump in her throat she swallowed, and boarded the massive vessel when it came to dock. The fog clung to her cloak, as it swished and swayed about her feet. Bright eyes looked back to the lands as the ship set sail once more. The briny air at her face, she wiped her brow with a gloved hand.

(One week Later)

Two long blows of the ships horn, and the cold bit at her face when she came to the outside deck. Her lips turned down slightly, as she looked upon the land she came from. When the ship came into port, she disembarked and walked along the dock...

Her shoulders became heavy as she walked the cobblestone streets of her old dwelling town..she couldn't call it home, because for her it was never truly that. In a few moments, there she stood. At the gates of the old Opera House. Anger, despair, fear, and loathing all coursed through her as she thought of all she endured within it's singing walls. With a deep breath she entered the creaking gates. They complained having not been opened so long. The building itself looked dilapidated and broken. Far from the spirit it once held.

The heavy wooden doors gave way to her gentle pushing, and she walked within what used to be the great foyer. A soft sigh, and she looked around slowly. Bright eyes took in everything around her with a heavy heart. Slow gentle feet moved into the great theater hall. Dust, and cobwebs lined the walls and chairs. Debris littered the floor, and damaged parts shone the moonlight within the building.

The floorboards of the stage complained and creaked. Her heart bore such weight, as she stood upon the middle of the stage. The hood of her cloak came down, finally... and she looked out on the falling apart opera house theater room. Her eyes stung with the tears that threatened to escape, and she looked for long moments. Unable to say, or do anything.

Finally, with a deep breath, her voice rang out. The haunting, and haunted sound echoed through the room like a spirit in the wind. Charming, enchanting..and enthralling. Her voice was different from the others who would sing there. Her voice could lull the angry, sooth the demented and put to sleep the sleepless.

She sang, her entire heart put into the song, she sang out into the haunted halls of the old opera house. Strange, this way to heal... but needed. Una sat for some time upon the old rickety stage. Slowly, it began to build. Years and years of anguish anger and detrimental abuse had her seething. Her eyes began to change and she growled. Her hands clutched the stage in anger and she screamed out into the old opera house.

No longer could she contain it. The dragon within was reeling and demanding to be free. This time without her permission. Her body began to change, and grow massive. The beast's scales were a deep crimson red and she roared out into the opera house. Her tail swung around and took out several rows of chairs. Fire licked at her maw and she let loose. Flames ripped over the wood, old cobwebs and broken down beams. She was in full rampage. Claws tore at fabric, and her body itself did damage to the building. Roars and fire came from her mouth. Rage filled her, and she let it go on the opera house. Not caring who might hear her, she was blinded by the anger within.

The town seemed almost abandoned this day as a figure walked gracefully across the cobblestone. Stiletto heels rapping with each long stride the woman took. The hood of a cloak concealing her features from onlookers. There were none- however; the village appeared to have locked doors and closed windows with a clatter as though doom were about to befall it. Which was partially true, they were in more danger than they realized.

What had brought the temptress here was unbeknownst to her. It was a gut feeling; which was something she had learned not to ignore any further. As strange as it may have been, she had only traveled to this land once or twice in her youth. Never truly taking in the old world style that the inhabitants had built around them. The journey then seemed less longer than the journey now. Three days, three delightful days actually. She had enjoyed speaking to sailors, playing their games, and bartering with them. A few in particular spoke of a demon, a monster really; that breathed hell fire, destroyed buildings, and the families with in. When she departed to the shore she was given a town name and pointed in the direction to go. That is what lead her to this quaint town.

Shadows licked at her feet, begging their mistress to take them in and do her bidding. They were not of her command, no, there was a presence that simply followed her wherever she went. Ominous  and foreboding as ever step seemed to leave a trail of darkness behind her. Not even the lamps that lit the street remained steady, one by one they popped and sizzled in retaliation.

As she drew closer to the center of the town there was an eerie feeling that made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. While for most in this situation the flight response would have kicked it, the hooded figure relished in the idea and a cruel smile pulled at her crimson stained lips. Without missing a beat in her step, she continued forward until a shrill of agony was replaced with a roar. It was this roar that she had been searching for all this time. Casually, she moved forward close to the scene. It was an opera house and by the sounds coming from within, it was quickly being demolished from the inside out. Head radiated from the doors as the woman lifted her hand to place it against the worn wood. It was hot to the touch, but the windows were shattered and flames were slowly beginning to seep out. The chanced of back draft happening were slim since the inferno would have a healthy supply of oxygen; especially sooner rather than later due to the chaos within.

With a gentle nudge, she pushed the what should have been a heavy door open. The hood of her cloak flying back from a gust of heat thrown her way as the oxygen aided the fire within. Dark eyes scoured the area in front of her before she stepped forward, avoiding the debris left behind either from years of neglect of whatever was destroying the building. She knew what it was; however, and she was here to play.

As she came into the main view of the Opera house she looked down from a high balcony at the monstrosity below. Ah, she knew this dragon. Time may have passed between the last time they met but she would not forget the female. It was obvious she was in rage or something, or another, perhaps her beloved mate?

"Don't you've think enough damage has be dealt to the opera house? Why not reach out and destroy the entire province if not careful?"

Flames were held at bay around the woman as she stood there eyeing the dragon. Held off by an invisible shield protecting her from their damage. While she might not be strong enough to ward off a dragon, she had enough faith in her powers to either enrage Una further or draw her out and into the open where she could work her magic there.

The rage that filled Una only grew. So many years of torture, pain and suffering all came flooding to the surface at once. Her mate, was gone... her life. The Nayati only gave her temporary solace. Willow had left, the others seemed to have scattered to the winds. Where was she going now? She did not know. This was the root of it all, and she would destroy every bit of it.

A voice drawled by her sensitive ears, and she stopped. Ruby red scales rattled angrily as she turned to face the one who intruded on her. Her massive tail swung around and slammed the ground hard enough to bring part of the roof down. Large nostrils flared and she drew in the scent of the woman who seemed unscathed by her flames. Instantly she knew this woman. Large dragonic eyes narrowed slightly, her tail swayed side to side as her wings opened. "What are you doing here?"
Was all she asked. Her muscles tight, she knew not to underestimate this woman.

Una's massive body almost didn't fit in the old raggedy opera house. The town was quiet as the flames licked and consumed all that they could. Embers burned and glowed all around her as she now faced the one known as Eclipse. It had been a long time since she had seen her, and she wondered why of all places she would come here. Was it to find her? To stop her from her quest? Questions tickled at her mind, but she stayed her tongue. Her one question hung in the air between them.

Eclipse's smile maintained as she looked upon Una and the destruction she was having. Perhaps word had gotten out which was why Una seemed on the defense about her being there. Blaze and Cayden must have sent word to the surrounding packs and rogue ears to keep a watchful eye. It made her shake her head internally as she thought of the way things were done back in Kumari lands. Everyone knew each others business and nothing was personal or private. The damsel was a private person as much now as then and preferred not to speak private matters in the open.

This moment, this meeting; however, was not private. Soon the entire town would be awake and alarmed to the fire along with the monster that was claiming their 'precious' Opera house.

"My gut told me I should come here and in doing so I have found you destroying a lovely piece of history."

The words were honest, whether the beast would accept them or not did not matter. Eclipse had no reason to lie to her or to anyone at this point in time. That would be due to change though if things began to unfurl with her plans for the Kumari lands and its inhabitants. Una might play a precious role in that should Eclipse be able to sway her in the right direction. It would determine on several things but the first would be this meeting and how it would turn out.

Her long hair whipped wildly around her from the heat and breeze that it brought with it. The building was quickly beginning to crumble and with it, the two would be either trapped beneath its' rubble or unleashed into the town once more. Dark eyes never leaving the gaze of the scaled dragon as that might have been a mistake many make. She knew otherwise, dragons were testy and dangerous creatures even on their best day.

"Why are you here?"

The maiden questioned now as it seemed that Una had much more reason to be here than she did. After all, she was only here on a whim and nothing more or less.

Una's eyes narrowed on Eclipse when she called the Opera House lovely. Her scales rattled angrily and her tail slammed the ground. "Maybe it was lovely once... not anymore." she growled, but it was half hearted now. Una was no fool, she knew her dragon was rash and driven by emotion. That's what balanced her so beautifully. When Eclipse asked her why she was here she tilted her head lightly and thought a moment.

"I am here to close a chapter of my life that I want to forget. As long as this Opera House stands it will haunt me all of my days. I will never be able to move forward with my life if I let it stay." She said matter of factly. Her wings folded down against her back, and her rump lowered to the floor. She relished the heat of the fires around her, and she looked once more to the Damsel in front of her. Impervious it seemed to her flame she knew that Eclipse had some kind of magic.

Eclipse shook her head as Una said why she was here. The female thought that this girl out of all would know better but it seemed that this was not the case.

"It was beautiful until you destroyed it. Also, I thought you would know better. Destroying something from ones past does not heal the wounds, it only opens them up to fresh memories. Had you never been to this Opera House, you would never have become the woman you are today. Look at yourself, it's pathetic that you think burning the architecture to the ground would erase the memories and scars. It wont. They will always be there in you, dragging you down until you figure out that those memories, those experiences could strengthen you."

Eclipse spoke fiercely to the woman, the dragon. Una had always been a weak minded creature but someone had to damn well straighten her up before someone from her past were to sneak up and take advantage of her frail state of mind. With feather light strides, the cloaked woman retreated from the Opera house with a wave to the beast behind her.

"When you have done your damage come and find me. We need to talk.."

With one last solemn look around the former, the woman turned and walked away from the scene. The townsfolk were already headed this way to try and stop the blaze before it spread to surrounding homes and shops. The heat radiated from her and smoke rose off her cloak into the cool night air. She could see herself living here at one point in her life just because of the quant life suited her far more than big city living.

No more than a few blocks down the road did she find what she was looking for, a bar or a pub, either way it meant alcohol brewed here in this town. Perhaps a good meade would do the trick, then again she was not really thirsty. It was just a matter of waiting to see how long it would take for Una to get her shit together. As she opened the door a few eyes glanced her way, just a few to take in the sight of a woman who looked sexual and deadly all at once. Not one man or woman got up to try their way with her, which was best as she was in no mood to deal with them tonight. At least this town had a few good brains to it.

Long strides carried her to a booth towards the back where she could keep here eyes on all exit points should the need arise. Once the bartender came over she placed her order of a simple pint of his finest beer and the request to keep others away from her. Her reward more money than he'd make these next six months in this town. Once she had her drink, Eclipse waited patiently for her guest to arrive - however long it took. There were things she had to discuss with Una, whether or not the woman wanted to hear them was not for her to worry about.

Una's eyes narrowed slightly and pearl teeth began to show. This woman knew nothing of her reasoning, or what had happened in this vile building. "This place and it's horrors indeed made me into the woman I am today... and I hate it. No longer do I want to be this way." Was all she said when the woman left her with an invitation to talk. Once Eclipse was gone, Una's legs bunched hard and she leaped from the Opera house. Massive wings spread wide she left the scene behind.

A few blocks away she shifted after having landed. Her massive frame fell away to reveal a small framed woman. Her clothes.. Furred boots, that rose to her knees. Leather pants brown in color. Her top consisted of leather and fur as well, to keep her warm. A hood covered her head, as she took in a deep breath her stomach bit at her hard. She was starving now. ...she needed to eat. Eclipse drifted back to her mind and with a confident step she headed for the way she had come. The scent of fire kept her going. Una passed the opera house without a second glance. This was the start of something new. From the ashes she would rise. Her past behind her, she looked forward to her future with excitement and wonder.

When she reached the street, she inhaled.. and caught Eclipse's scent. Una followed it to the bar, and entered the front door. A slight growl at a burley man who eyed her. She spotted Eclipse in the back and walked toward her. Boots clicked on the floor as she made her way through the drunken swarm of people. She sat down across from the woman and looked at her. "You have my attention." She said softly, and placed her order when the bar keep came around. A pint, a thick steak and potatoes to warm her insides as well as quench her appetite.

He had been enjoying a few of the higher quality entertainments of the area, music, and dancing as the night went on, and had gradually moved towards an inn. As he walked by the door, on his way towards another location, he caught a scent he had not encountered in quite some time, and it definitely grabbed his attention. Turning immediately towards to follow the scent, he made his way into the tavern, and was immediately met with a flurry of warm smells, not all pleasant, as well as brighter lights and a swirl of activity. He shouldered past a rather large individual who was on his way out, and stepped up on a stair leading to a raised seating area. Looking around he knew who he was looking for, and when he saw her, his heart skipped a beat, growing a touch warmer.

He grabbed a drink as a server made her way past him, snatching it quickly enough that she did not notice as he swapped it with an empty off another table. Taking a sip he eased himself on up next to the table beside her. He saw she was speaking with another female, so, as politely as he could, he cleared his throat as he stepped up to the table. "Havent seen you in quite a while." He said, just loudly enough for her to hear over the surrounding din as he set his drink onto the table, smiling at her. He was legitimately happy to see her again, after her having been absent for what felt like quite some time to him, he nodded to the woman she was speaking to.

Obsidian eyes watched from a far as Una made her approach into the tavern. There were many ways in which she thought to begin the conversation should the woman decide to sit opposite of her. The bar keep came over to inquire as to what the guest would like to drink at which time Una placed her order but not after being firm with Eclipse. It brought a sly smile across her features as the woman thought to put on a brave face. She would need it for the future.

With delicate fingers, Eclipse traced a line along the side of her glass which was dewy with condensation. Biding her time until the bartender was far enough away for her to speak in private. It was the fact that the bar was not anywhere near a pack or someone familiar which made the scene that much more private. Anyone here would not understand what the two would have to speak about, or so she thought. A man was making his way over towards the pair, his eyes did not hold lust in them but acknowledgement. Through narrowed eyes she watched and waited to see what his first move would be to the pair.

This quaint little meeting he thought he was about to have with Una would be shattered. Eclipse was in no mood to play games. Since spotting Una she had a mission and the pawn was just going to get in the way.

"You are interrupting our meeting drifter. I suggest you wait until we have finished and then go ahead and rekindle whatever relationship you two might have together."

Her tone was cool but firm as she looked into the eyes of the man and then back at Una. She was a no bull shit woman and this was about to be up on that list.

"My time is valuable as I have no doubt, yours is as well. You have a choice here, either speak with me or I'll end our little rendezvous and let you fend for yourself when he arrives. I'll not waste my breath any further on the subject until you decide which it will be.."

Casually, Eclipse began to prepare to leave the 'friends' for lack of a better term to call them. The man knew Una in some way, shape or form, it mattered not to the vagabond. With cold, soulless eyes, she regarded only Una at that moment; waiting with little patience as to what her choice might be. Time ticked by slowly, far more slowly than she preferred in a time like this.

New Posting Order: Una, Callahan, and Eclipse

Una blinked, slightly confused as to what exactly was happening. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. This drifter... did he know her? Something struck her oddly familiar about him and her dragon stirred inside restlessly. With a low growl she pushed it aside.

When Eclipse spoke the way she did, it struck Una the wrong way. A hard hand on the table, and she growled softly. "You came all this way, now speak what you have to say. I did not come here for you to up and leave without saying your piece. Eclipse." she said, not with anger but with a slight impatience as to the situation at hand. What had her so uptight? This was not the Eclipse she knew before.. Though times, and situations change people. Una knew that more then anyone. A slight smile, and she relaxed again. "Now please, what did you want to talk to me about?" She said, with a gentler tone of voice. Her accent thick within her words still she looked around briefly before she looked back to Eclipse once more. She would address the drifter later. Something about that person made her uneasy...

He saw the look of confusion on her face, and cocked his head at it. Did she not recognize him? That would be very unfortunate, very, very unfortunate, working to weaken the tenuous connection he had keeping him a member of the Nayati pack. Una was also the first of his pack that he had seen in quite some time, so, that was certainly not helping matters at all either. Turning to look at the woman talking to him, his eyes narrowed. "Una is a Nayati wolf, as am I, thus she is my family, and family that I have not seen in quite some time. And, I have never seen you before woman, so, perhaps the phrase you use, drifter, is pointed at the wrong person, don't you think?" He said, not quite snarling at her, though the unspoken snarl was evident in his voice.

((short, i know, but not sure where to go quite yet))

The slim right eye brow lifted as Una became very aggressive after Eclipse mentioned that she would be leaving. Her gaze then turned to that of the male to see what his reaction was. Of course, he had given more information than perhaps fully intended. The corners of her lips pulled and a small laugh began to bubble out of her lips. He had such a way to him but perhaps he had not taken a good look around.

"No, I do not actually. This is Russia, in case you have lost your way. I also do not like repeating myself so, since you like to show you have no manners by the fact you have not left until we have finished.."

As she spoke her smile diminished, the laughter in her voice gone, and her tone becoming dark. It was a warning. Energy snapped around her at the very idea that the man thought he could intimidate her. As futile as that was though she took a breath to calm the buzzing around her. Fingernails having made tiny impressions in the wood of the old table. Fresh cuts in the slab and tiny splinters the only sign that she was getting pissed off other than her tone of warning.

Dark eyes looked back to Una and just before she was ready to speak the bartender came by with the meal. Freshly cooked steak with potatoes, no doubt grown here in this little Russian town. The bartender eyed the male with a curious gaze before looking at Eclipse. With a swift wave of her hand and a nod of acknowledgment from him before he was on his back to continue his shift; leaving the three of them there at odds with one another.

"Fine, I will tell you but only a few things as this was a private conversation. Someone from your past is going to be returning, he will not remember you although you will remember him. He is not the same beast you once knew and loved."

Grabbing the cold beverage she had ordered, she wrapped her fingers along the water sodden glass before raising it to her lips and taking, what appeared to be, a relaxed drink. All the while, she kept her eyes on both the woman and the bastard man who had decided to interrupt their evening and refused to get the hint about leaving them be.