A City in Fear(Open)

In the town of Cedar the people were becoming very fearful and for good reason, for the past few nights people had been going missing only to turn up in the late hours of the morning in pieces. However no one could find the cause for this and the local military was scrambling to find the culprit before another attack happened. In the shadows though two red eyes watched the shaking masses with glee, Sol had learned recently that Poison dragons enjoyed having their prey scared and fearful before devouring them since it made their meal taste that much better.

From the busy streets a young girl suddenly caught sight of something in the alley where Sol was before she decided to turn and looked around inside the alley , when she got to where Sol was at he suddenly opened his eyes and they glowed red for a moment before the woman fell down in fear but she couldn’t find the will to scream as the poison dragon approached her and then bared his fangs and decided to make her even more afraid, he grinned wider before he suddenly seemed to reveal two more sets of razor sharp poison fangs before he got ready to devour her.

Yuiisai had recently just finished a job within the town of Cedar and had decided to move onto the next one on their list. They had no idea what was going on but since joining their current guild it seemed trial after trial, like they had to prove their worth if they hoped to remain in the employ with them. Being as it was a dark guild it did however stand to reason that only the strong survived and those who out their use or had been deemed weak perished. They where far from useless and though seen as a delicate blossom was more like a rose hiding thorns when irritated, but then they were content to play the delicate flower following how they where raised when not needed to do things for the guild. For now they wore a white victorian style dress with baby green ruffles with a matching bonnet even if he was to take a male form he would still easily pass as a female, even if they didn't they would have no qualms in dressing in such a manner they lived to please after all.

After a moment they stopped and sniffed at the air smelling a familiar scent and headed to the ally only to see the events unfold "Do dragon's often play with their food?" they asked crossing their arms moving forward her milky jade eyes looking to the poison dragon slayer. The other knew that every slayer type had their own qualities and scents, they had managed to hide their natural scent from other slayers due to using their own homemade incense. Their clothing, hair, body was always scented with these incenses but knew that wouldn't fool the slayer before them due to being in constant contact with them. "Or is that something only you have come to do?" they finished asking with a sigh, one of their hands going to their head "Are you the reason this town in an upheaval about missing people?" they sure to hell hoped not because right now it was going to be a pain in the ass just to get out of the place now due to it.

Sol had suddenly delivered a quick and powerful bit to the womans neck and had killed her quickly before he began to devour her ripping thru flesh muscle and bone easily with his powerful fangs before he suddenly heard a voice behind him asking a question.” not all dragons do this but my species does for the simple reason being that prey that is afraid and in despair taste far better then any other” he explained as he emerged from the shadows clad in only a pair of black pants leaving his chest exposed and his feet barefoot. His arms and legs were clad in pitch black scales and vicious looking spines on his elbows and his feet and hands were tipped with deadly looking claws.

“I did come here Yuusai but I figure with all the people that are here they can spare a few to sate my hunger for a while after all it is in the nature of dragons to prey on humans” he explained as he wiped his face off to get rid of the excess blood on his face as he moved forward and he caught the scent on the shape shifter and he broke into a grin.”well well I knew my thought was right you’re a shape shifter, I had a hunch when I smelled both genders on you the night we met in terra ignis, so I assume you are free to change genders as you wish” he questioned before he chuckled.”I bet you can give people quite a surprise in the morning if you want” he joked

Yuiisai turned their back to the scene that was about to take place, they knew that darkness and foul acts were a natural thing in life; however disliked the thought of seeing people suffering. They had come from a life were everything was bright and beautiful, were it was their role to forfil the desires of others. That had changed however the day they met Sol, he hadn't just broken the wall of their life but had taken it upon himself to pretty much disintegrate it completely. Hearing the quick quiet scream of the woman Yuiisai covered their ears, they didn't want to hear it. They felt bad for the woman that had been in the wrong place at the wrong time; but her fate had been sealed the moment she stumbled upon the hungry dragon. While Sol was eating his meal a question crossed their mind, when they believed the dragon had finished they turned around "Why did you spare me from such a fate?" Yuiisai eventually asked the other, they had met under much the same circumstances; they too had been afraid of the dragon they had stumbled upon but still they hadn't met their end and was now curious as to why.

"Poison dragons are a unique bunch then I guess." Yuiisai wasn't meaning this as an insult, how could it be given that the only dragon they knew was the one before them so had to go on the information the gave on such matters. They looked over Sol with a sigh "You're going to draw attention looking like that." Luckily at the moment the street was near empty and the shadow was covering what he currently looked like, more so as he had blood over his mouth from his last meal. "Dragons can also prey on cows and other livestock" they blurted out covering their mouth before bowing a little not expecting to vocalise their thoughts "I'm sorry." the said in a sincere tone before standing straight "Do dragons see humans as livestock or is that another thing of your specie of dragon alone?" dragons confused them but it was a topic they slowly became more familiar with the more they spoke with the other.

"I was female when we first met, I am female now." Yuiisai said calmly but knew due to what had happened in their last meeting they couldn't keep things from him now "Yes, I am able to gender switch as I wish, it's been a useful tool when dealing with clients." they explained a small blush on their cheeks embarrassed to be speaking about such things, especially since it was in public. "No, I keep to the preference of my wife or husband until they leave the dream." they explained, due to how things worked certain acts meant certain things and one of them was marriage; as soon as a consort was chosen a person was forbidden to change it was as if being engaged, several meetings after the first a certain private ceremony was preformed away from the eyes of others that would make the two married within the pleasure district alone. This was so if a child was conceived through the bedding it would be within wedlock. "It's complicated." they finally said after a long moment.

Sol kept wiping his face as Yuusai asked him why he had spared the shape shifter from death.”many reasons Yuu, I was not hungry at that time and like I have said before you interest me I felt you had potential to do so much more then where you were currently at” he explained as he nodded about drawing attention and he caused the shadows to swirl around him untill he emerged from them garbed in black combat gear with a hood pulled over his face so it was shadowed.” I think this is a bit better” he said as he stretched. At her remark and hasty apology Sol simply waved it off.”no need to aplogize Yuu not all dragons eat humans but I am one of the few that do simply because I developed a taste for it. Some might call it cannibalism but I argue that its not since I am no longer human” he explained since it was true that not all dragons ate humans but then again some still did it was not unique to any one species of dragon.

“ah its an interesting power to have and I imagine it would be rather useful” he observed as he motioned for her to walk with him.” if anyone asks I am your body guard with how I am dressed most will believe it” Sol said as he pulled out a skull like mask and put it on his face to hide his identity. When Yuusai explained that her useage of her ability was complicated Sol simply shrugged.” very well then I’ll leave it be unless you wish to explain it” he said calmly.

Yuiisai listened to the words spoken by the other, she was glad that he hadn't been hungry that day, more so that they had a walk and talk; it had helped her understand what the man was not to mention got her to experience things she hadn't since she had been an apprentice. "A potential I don't see myself Sol. I was raised and trained to do one thing." she explained still thinking he was blind on the matter but didn't voice it. "Interests wane in time as well I've found." her voice was gentle but held a hint of sadness to it as she found herself wondering what would happen when he was no longer interested in her or when she was no longer of use to him, for the moment however it seemed like a stupid thing for her to concentrate on. "I'm glad you weren't hungry then, I would have shared a living space with your current meal." her voice serious on the matter.

Seeing him change she was glad to see he took her advice about keeping a low profile in a town filled with unrest. "Yes, it suits you well." she confirmed with a pleasant smile once more. Seeing the other wave off her remark and saying it was fine, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as he seemed to be okay with what had happened. "I am glad I have someone so forgiving holding my life in their hands." she said quietly, but still she knew normally from where she was raised would never have been tolerated and so scolded herself for her ignorance on the matter. To her it would mean she would just have to study on the matter more. "I'm still trying to understand dragons, like I said when we first met, not a common occurrence at home" she said with a small embarrassed voice. "If you see yourself as a dragon then it's just the way of things I guess... then again it's a general rule of nature, the strong pray on the weak." they stated in a factual way as they fixed their bonnet.

"It is one of the reasons I was highly sought after, I could forfil any role they client wished." she said her eyes turning to the side as she spoke "It has also helped me in the tasks I have currently taken for the guild." she continued, hearing what the other wanted she nodded "Does that mean I get to boss you around for a change?" she teased, she held respect for the other and would never cross boundaries. She might have past the arches of her home, but she wasn't free not really he held her contract which meant her loyalty lay with him and whomever he was loyal to without question. She began to walk for a moment but stopped bringing out her left hand to show him by what she meant was complicated. Withing her hand four small orbs appeared; one purple, one black, one light blue and the final one a golden yellow each showing traits of god and demon slayer magic "I only have one magic." they explained making the orbs merge into one before fading, once it did she began walking quietly once more without another word.

Sol simply shook his head.”You will see with time just be patient just because your trained and raised to do one thing does not mean you cannot do more then that” he explained with a smirk under his mask.” believe me when something catches my interest it lasts for a very long time and Yuu understand that time for me is eternal as a dragon I am ageless I have all the time in the world” he chuckled. At her interest in dragons Sol thought for a moment before he remembered something. “I have a few tomes about dragons in my library I can let you take a look at them when we get back to the castle” he offered as he motioned for them to walk and he stayed behind her slightly to the side so he looked like he was escorting her.





“Ha Ha you can act the part but I am the king” he said teasingly . However when she started to form spheres with her magic which she said was her only one Sol was very surprised at the number of elements he could tell was there and it was also slayer magic, the dragon could tell from the scent of it that it was slayer magic.”that is very impressive magic that you have and yet another reason I gained your contract. I can teach you how to bring the full potential of this magic out.” he said knowing that as a slayer he knew better then the average mage how to use that kind of magic and he knew Yuiisai could be an amazing mage with some training.

Yuiisai could do nothing but sigh at his words, it was frustrating not knowing what the other seen in them, it wasn't there place to argue or question them as much as they would love to on this occasion so just nodded obediently to his words. "I know that even if you have learned one thing, you can always change the path if given the option and are willing to." they explained, they knew it wasn't just a person that was like that but magic too. As a consort they had little time to themselves so when they did, they tried to train their cursed magic after an incident so it didn't happen again, but with little understanding of what it was there was only so much they could do. When they started they noticed just how dark and threatening it came off so done their best to learn how to mask it and with time it became easier but still they knew they had a lot to learn.

They couldn't help but tilt their head at the last part when it was said that when something caught his interest that it was their for a very long time, that he himself was seemingly immortal due to his dragonic heritage. "Just because it doesn't dwindle on other things in a short time, doesn't mean it will be the same for other things." that was just a fact of life "Not to mention interest can be lost if something else comes along to capture it." they explained having seen it a few times among children and people outside houses, their left hand went to the right arm institutionally almost as if trying to protect themselves from something their head moving away from him eyes closing. They feared being alone more so now than ever; while within a house their was support and if you lost favour you would be sold to another lesser house. As it stood they knew if they lost favour with the other they wouldn't have such security, but for now that was something to worry about later.

Hearing the other offer them books on dragons their posture changed as they looked to him almost in surprise as if they had just heard the strangest thing. "You would allow me to read your personal books?" they asked, they enjoyed learning it was one of the few allowances they had been given while in the service of the house they had been brought up in, but even then the books where only on certain subjects. Nodding they began to walk it had been motioned for them to do so "So why are you here then?" they finally asked knowing why they where there but was still surprised to see the other. "And I doubt it's because you felt peckish given there are people closer to the castle." they said with a small chuckle. Hearing that they could act the part she couldn't help but smirk at the idea "I could do with some green tea and a steamed bun." they teased, they knew this was nothing more than a facade for the moment.

Hearing him speak about their magic they stopped suddenly their hands gripping so tight their nails cut into the flesh beneath, their head lowering as they done so. "It's not impressive Sol, it's a curse!" their voice showing pain and fear as they spoke about it. "And one I'd rather be rid of" their voice shook before they changed into light appearing at another part of town sliding down the wall caring little that their dress would become dirty or damaged which was unusual for them. Their hands going to their mouth as if they where trying to prevent themselves from being sick. They knew it wouldn't be long before they would be found but they needed the time to regain composure. Their magic was part of themselves they never wanted to recognise and so never dwelled on it more than they needed to control it better.

Sol simply shook his head at her words.”however people are capable of having more then one interest calm yourself Yuu I’m not going to lose interest in you” he said trying to calm her nerves. At their surprise are his offering of his books Sol nodded.”Of course I would let you read them Im not that cruel that I would deprive you of things to do” he explained before he heard her desire for tea and steamed buns.”I think there is a small shop around here we can get something I’m still a bit hungry” he said. The dragon pointed at a nearby shop and he thought about what he would want .

Despite having devoured most of a human Sol did big stomach due to how he was a dragon and not a human. It seemed that yuiisai did not like her magic and thought of it as a curse then a gift like the dragon knew it was. They then shifted into light and seemed to warp away and Sol growled before he shifted into shadows and shot into the city undetected by the normal towns people. It did not take long before Sol had caught her scent and appeared beside her thru the shadows.”Care to not run away next time” he said clearly not pleased but he simply crossed his arms.”I highly doubt that your magic is a curse but perhaps if you never used it then your not used to using it you need practice” he said waiting for her answer.

Yuiisai sat where they where hoping that it would take the other a while to find them but it seemed they were in for no such luck as when they looked up to the other was stood there looking down at where they were sat on the dirt filled ground. Having had a little time to take in all that Sol had said to them, they still worried that it was nothing but sweetened words the other had spoken about not losing interest in them. For now however they would have to believe the words he spoke were true so nodded "Okay..." they whispered not making a move to stand up, they had lost their appetite thanks to the situation and hugged their knees to themselves. Just so much had happened in such a short time and it was like their mind was trying to keep up but was always three steps behind.

"At home we were only permitted certain pre-approved books, with the district being so set against magic such books were never allowed." their voice was saddened at what they had said "It was to protect us and likely to prevent us from getting foolish thoughts." it was the only thing that made sense since before meeting him Yuiisai had only broken the rules once and given the punishment given as an apprentice hadn't planed on breaking them again. The books they had read before allowed them to be charming and cultured a they were now, but even they knew that something was missing but had never asked for it in case of punishment "Thank you for allowing me access to your books Sol, it means a lot to me." their voice though small showed they were sincere with what they had just said to him.

"I lost my appetite, I'm sorry" they eventually said realising that the other had spoke of a place to gain what they had requested. "We can go for you however." they suggested not wanting him to go without just because of them, it didn't work that way not now, not ever as they'd never be on equal ground. Hearing his tone now he spoke after she ran she looked down "I'm sorry, I'll take whatever punishment you decide to give." he knew better than to run, but their magic was a sensitive subject for them. "Home never allowed use of magic especially in the courtesans and it is a curse Sol, it's unlikely you will get me to see it differently" her voice was uncharacteristically cold on the matter their eyes matching the tone it was obvious there was a story behind it and it wasn't one they where going to share willingly

Sol shook his head, “It feels like that idea alone is a foolish thought” he said in reference to the rule about what the girls could read. “it is no problem Yuu but there are a few that you cannot read not because its forbidden but simply because it is written in the dragon tongue which I would guess that you don’t know” he explained since it was not a well known language and very few knew how to read it much less speak it with himself being one that could do both. It seemed that Yuiisai was more then willing to accept a punishment for running from him which the draogn nodded.”Very well I’ll figure the punishment out later but it won’t be physical harm” he said trying to come up with someone not to harsh but not too lenient as well.

Yuiisai explained that in their home before this they were not allowed to use magic at all and she once again called it a curse.”unlikely but not impossible Yuu you need to understand that your ability is a gift much like your shape shifting don’t see it as a curse but as a part of you and a part that should be embraced rather then suppressed” he explained as he held up a open palm and formed an orb of shadow before it became a small serpent that hissed at nothing.”suppressing your magic will not end well it ends in the mage harming themselves and others it wants to be used not wasted” he said.

Yuiisai blinked hearing the others words "Perhaps to you, but some houses the escorts and apprentices weren't even taught to read or write let alone being allowed books." they shuddered at the thought of those in lesser homes and thankful that she had at least been sold to a higher end houses but still had no idea why it happened in the first place. "I'm not meaning to be rude but you shouldn't really comment on a culture or people in a way of life you don't know intimately" she said calmly her head laying on her knees cast away from him "You have never been what I am..." she said quietly "I could have had it far, far worse." She knew that rules had been put in place for reasons and she wasn't one to argue against them, she like everyone else in the house had been told that the information they weren't allowed was to keep the darkness from their lives; all they would see was the beauty.

She turned her head a little hearing what he said about the books of his library "Then I will learn your language also." she said simply turning her head, though her eyes where still turned away a little "I can't be an effective tool for you if I am not properly educated on everything I may need to know to benefit your plans further." her words were sincere as she spoke to him. "Besides you yourself have said just because I learned one thing doesn't mean I can't learn another or even more." her head came off her knees as she looked up to him. "My punishment as you seen were never physical." she sighed she hated being isolated especially in a small dull room with nothing to do for days on end so hoped that Sol would find something else to punish them for how they had acted. She turned her head once more as her eyes closed.

Yuiisai couldn't help but laugh a little at what was said to her 'Yeah, gift...' she thought to herself, a deep breath of frustration escaping her lips "It might be part of me, but it doesn't change the fact...." She stood and looked to him straight in the eyes, unlike when they had first met there was no fear, nor was there serenity like their normally was had replaced them was hatred and anger, not towards him but towards herself. "My magic is a curse, nothing can or will change that fact Sol!" she turned her head eventually "The only reason my gender changing was a gift was because of the profession I was in, it made my house prosperous and allowed me to be far more picky with my clientele than other courtesan... now there's no real call for it." she was honest in her word as she had always been with him. "I didn't ask for magic, I didn't asked for this magic especially..." she clenched her hands as she thought of the magics name, after taking a deep breath she looked to him "So what are you doing here?" She asked just wanting to drop the subject of magic for the moment as she began to wipe the dirt off her dress.