sirenspull_logs | While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it liveth.

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While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it liveth.

Who: Aurican and YOU

When: all day in January 29 to January 30 an hour before morning sirens

Where: Everywhere

Summary: A day of an old man, a night of a gold dragon.

Warnings: Aurican's good manners and etiquette.

It has been weeks since Aurican's arrival.

Strange, how he takes special note of the weeks here, when back home he barely takes notice the years. And yet here he is, taking care to observe the calendar, the holidays, the "first quarter" of the economy, the names of the days and months. Things that never bothered Aurican before. If the elves weren't concerned about, neither was he. Truly, this is a human domain with just a little bit of everything: gods and demons, houses and "computers" and "robots", of poetry and literature and "blogs", magic and technology, and of every culture he could have imagine and could never begin to dream of. There is churches of every dominion he never knew (but never of Paladine or Takhisis, or any of the gods of Krynn, and he takes very cold comfort from that), as well as forces that are strictly anti-religion. Other forces are a little more disturbing, such as the supporters of the wrenched companies, ready at the hand to trample over the downtrodden and the lame for a profit and society's approval. Or, in a more recent example, the group that earned the label "Newcomer Killers" that is pushing for a violent action against newcomers such as himself. This, of course, is disconcerting enough to gain his attention, which all the while might as be flattering to the killers, to gain such an interest from a dragon.

Flattering as it is dangerous, of course. Aurican is merciful, yes, but as his kin-dragons Darlantan and Blayze once demonstrated, mercy must be tempered by strength. And there is no doubt that Aurican is mighty. Not the mightiest on this island, no, but he is fairly certain that he is at least formidable, from his magic and his breath weapons, down to his claws and wings and teeth. He will use his magic most of the time, after all. He has been through so much and sacrificed greatly for the return for the magic. It will be a dishonor to turn aside magic for the brutal and vicious might of a dragon's talons and fire.

But the question remains: is hiding even necessary? Hiding his dragon form?

Back home, Aurican remained in two-legged form for mostly for convience. It is easier to enter the buildings (and less destructive), and to flip the pages and unfurl the scrolls with the complex machinations of the hands than with a dragon's talons, and to read the small text. It is easier to savor the feasts with the smaller, more complex tongue of a lesser being than it is with the long, serpentine tongue. The feel of a warm bed vastly differs than sleeping in a nest made out of gems and stone. He could go on, really. It really shouldn't be that different here in Siren's Port.
What discerns him is that is the necessary of hiding. He never hid in Ansalon. He never had a reason too. He is Aurican, scion of Paladine himself, a dragon filled with honored purpose. Why should he hide who he is? He never bothered to hide, not even during the war. Except there is a war going in this land, but it is discreet, hidden within the offices of the politicians and the shareholders, the investors, and the gangs. A war over influence, a war over resources, a war over peoples' souls. A war that, if Aurican is not careful, might be dragged into just because he is a newcomer and a dragon as well. He might be a slave for entertainment for AGI, or an experiment ready to for dissection for SERO. Or maybe he will be ensnared by another newcomer. This place is not home, and Aurican will do well to remember that. So discretion is necessary, certainty. Which is why he created Old Man Eurig, the balladeer, the man who dotters over music. The old man is active in the day time, ready for bed a few hours after dark.

But every once in a while, Aurican the dragon takes to the skies, learning the land and roads and the monsters. A few he knocked out of the skies with his breath, but nearly all the time he uses his magic to strike them down, especially when there are soon-to-be-victims of the monsters' wrath to be considerate of.

[ ooc: Permissions post here! Just make sure I don't step anyone's toes. Also, put in the location and time on the subject line! ]

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There's an old man, window shopping. Sometimes he is feeding the pigeons, taking delight in their instant flocking toward him. Other times, he might be in another restaurant, dining on all sort of meals. And sometimes, he might be enjoying his walk around the city.

Would you speak to him?

It's a nice day, despite the winter chill, and Luna's going on a brisk walk, enjoying the limited sunlight before the Darkness falls again and the creatures return to the city to make it their own again. The man feeding the pigeons catches her eye, and without really thinking about it, she's made her way over to him, appearing by his side before even saying a word.

"They seem very drawn to you," she says, her voice dreamy, as though she'd never seen such birds before in her life and she was considering their collective splendour.

Aurican - Eurig - looks up and sees a young girl, looking at his birds with a curious expression. He smiles.

"More drawn by the bread in my hands than my character. These are far more tame than the pigeons from home. Very skittish birds."

She considers this, looking from the bread in the man's hands to the feeding birds and then back to the man again. "No, I think there's something else. Did you have birds just like this at home, or were there different types, that you used to feed?"

"We have birds similar to them. Perhaps they are different. I have never been a scholar of nature, only history and music, so I wouldn't know the difference. But then, I haven't seen the practice of feeding wild birds with pieces of bread until now."

He hums, and offers the girl a portion of the bread. "Care to join me?"

Never seen it before? She'd thought it relatively common, but there were so many different people from all manner of different worlds. Why, there were some who had never seen animals at all before, so why would this be at all surprising? It's remarkable; she'd thought the world she'd been used to back home had been a wide and varied place, but here, the possibilities were truly endless.

She smiles at the man, and accepts the bread that he offers. "Gladly." Although she immediately breaks the portion into small, edible pieces, she does not throw them yet, instead holding them in a closed hand. "Did you say a scholar of history and music? I'm very interested in both."

"Yes, I am. I am planning to be a balladeer here, or even a teacher, once I am able to regain my bearings." But he sighs. "But, alas, I fear I must relearn everything. The musical structure here is similar, but still unusual enough that I have to start over. I hope you have little issue with your talents and interests."

"Some things are different here," she starts with a nod, absent-mindedly breaking the bread down even further, "but I have my magic, so my methods are the same. I am starting to learn the French Horn; that's different, but I'd never studied music back home. I painted, but I haven't done much of that here yet. I also used to write and help my father edit his magazine. I was thinking of starting one for the newcomers in this city, actually."

She looks down at her hands, as though suddenly aware of the presence of the bread again. Instead of throwing it to the ground in the usual manner, she squats down, her knees bent, and her arm and open palm out-stretched.

Her head cocks to the side slightly, and her eyes widen as he stares up at the man, as though saying 'watch this'.

Aurican raises his eyebrows at her expression, recognizing the message. Darlantan is always fond with games like these, saying nothing and everything at all when they were young.

She stays very still, and waits for the birds to come to her. They're wary, in the way that such creatures usually are, turning their heads to get a good look at her and judging if she's a threat or not. But she knows they'll come if she doesn't make any sudden movements, and although she has to wait, it's well worth the experience. Soon enough, three birds are eating out of the palm of her hand, and she straightens up once they're done, brushing her hands clean of any remaining crumbs.

"You plan to teach, you said?"

Such talent with simple beasts. He follows her example, drilling his form to absolute stillness, food exposed in the palm of his hands.

"Indeed. I have taught my children and my nephews and nieces, but I think a classroom is quite the experience."

There were more people in schools, that was certain -- it was very different when teachers couldn't be watching everyone all of the time. But she doesn't say that, just smiles at the man and says 'good luck'. Although she's referring to his career prospects, her attention is also now intensely focused on the bread in the man's hands. She really did think that they were drawn to him.

Although the House was certainly a excellent cook, Iroh had decided he needed to move around, and he decided to have himself some brunch at a nearby restaurant. He knew that it would be all too easy to give himself more rest then was strictly necessary. He had thought when he retired, he would be allowed to relax more, but in a strange and hostile environment, discipline was necessary. He certainly allowed himself his pleasures, denying something was no better then over indulging, the key lay in moderation of all things. He is having some Earl Grey tea with some fresh fruit and a scone, when he notices a somewhat familiar face.

"Ah, hello there!" he greets his fellow resident with a polite incline of his head. The man was one of the few people around who looked around his age.

"Would you care to join me?" he inquires hopefully. It would be nice to know a fellow resident.

Aurican turns his head and spots a fellow housemate. Iroh, he thinks. A man similar to his age, if dragon and human ages are really comparable. Both are elderly, there's one thing in common, at least. He smiles and accepts Iroh's offer.

"Thank you, Sir Iroh." He makes himself comfortable.

"You are quite welcome." he smiles pleasantly. He did not know very much about the man at all, he had heard he was a bard of some sort. There was nothing like getting to know someone new. He brings the tea cup to his lips and takes a small sip.

"How have you found the adjustment to the city?" he inquired. The leap from less developed worlds to this one was quite startling in his opinion. Thankfully he had some help from some of the younger generation to navigate some of it.

"Some of which is easy, but others it a little more difficult. Mostly it is this understanding of the new technology, like NVs."

Aurican takes the menu in front of him, considering. He takes special care of the numbers, the arranged price for ordering. He has barely understand the monetary value of these little notes and coins, and then there's taxes to consider . . .

He looks up at Iroh. "What is your suggestion?" He gestures to the menu before him. "The food here is both strange and similar . . . "

Iroh nods in agreement. The technology was certainly difficult to get accustomed to. He had been making an effort to learn how to use it more effectively, but he still very much preferred how things had been in his world. He considers the food question for a moment, taking a bite of his fruit, savoring the sweetness.

"Well, I have got the Fruity Tutti personal platter which is quite pleasant and light. Most have a sweet or juicy taste. If you are feeling like having something a little more... filling, I would suggest the 'Brunch Crunch' that has some bacon, toast, and eggs, and the portions are generous." he explained.

The technology is less of an issue for Aurican - after all, it is easier to think of it as magic, and work from there. It is this strange culture and language that is more difficult part of mingling. He nods at Iroh's suggestion.

"I shall try this 'Brunch Crunch'. It sounds similar to what I used to have back home." The elves do make the most lovely of feasts . . .

"How long have you been in this island, Sir Iroh?"

"Ah, it is usually best to start with the familiar and experiment later on." he agrees to the choice.

He takes another bite of fruit before replying, his only immediate response being a 'hmmmmm' until he finishes the piece.

"I have been here since the summer. The weather was significantly warmer then, much more pleasant." Iroh informs him adding "Approximately half a year, or six months as they say".

Aurican makes his order to the waiter, he thinks on Iroh's length of stay. Really, that doesn't sound to long. Very briefly, in retrospect of him living for over six thousand years.

"I suppose to old men like us, that is not too long." A joke on Aurican's behalf, but let be known that he is not known for his jester nature.

"Hahaha, yes it is not so long truly. I have spent a lot more time travelling around my world then I have settled in here. It seems I rarely get time to just remain in one place." Which was true, he had been here only a short while in truth, but not having to move around made it better.

"How has the work on your songs been coming along? I would love to hear some of them when you are finished." He truly appreciated the arts, they could take you places far from where you were.

"I haven't been to many places in my world - I mostly stayed in one place, in the valley where my ancestors and friends dwell. One of my brothers used to travel far and wide, and he learned a multitude of languages. He became very popular with all sorts of people, from tribesmen to kings. "

On occasions, Aurican regrets his isolationism, his usual preference to elves alone, for as he starts to settle in the city, he realizes that he misses many potentials from his world. Even Darlantan enjoyed the company of humans, as strange as they are. But at least Aurican can correct that matter.

"I am still writing my songs, but in the style I knew from my world. I am currently studying the language of music here, so perhaps a translation of sorts can be provided. The styles, the languages, event the instruments are different."

"I found that travelling to different parts really opened my eyes to the beauty of differences you can find in the world. A lot can be learned by observing and interacting with others who are different from your usual company. Your brother sounds like a very interesting person."

He smiles kindly. He meant every word of it too. Without travelling and learning about others, he would not be the man he is today.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours. My workplace does sell instruments, feel free to try them out and decide which suits you best."

"Yes, I quite agree. My brother always told me of his travels and learning new languages, but I always did ignore his advice of travel, and instead focused on my own projects and meditations. But with a strange new world, I doubt I will be bored."

His ordered food is served, and he gives his thanks to the waiter.

"Thank you, I might pick up that offer."

"Yes, there are many new things to learn and experience here. Though I feel as though my travelling days should be mostly done. It is time to be settled in one location and life out the rest of my days in peace."

He wanted to retire, but with the dangers of the city, he felt more compelled to try and help.

"It would be a pleasure to have you, I always enjoy hearing music."

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While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it liveth.

Eurig; during the daylight hours of January 29

Wherever he's feeding the pigeons!

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Restaurant

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