Roleplay

Sniffling without moving much from his position or hiding spot, the young boy lifts his head to look around himself, searching for the source of the voice. Noxious, as it said. The part about them being not so different from one another makes him crease his brows in uncertainty but doesn't question it much.

It didn't make any sense, how a mere hallucination can look after him-- a simple figment of his own vivid imagination. Still, it felt..somewhat comforting to know or at least hope, believe someone cared about him. Even if it's just a voice borne from poisonous gas.

And so, Verian tries to smile at the night sky, where he guesses Mr. Noxious might be. Wiping his tears with his sleeve as he meekly responds, hopeful. Even if he barely understood any of the voice's cryptid words.

--"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Noxious."


The bitter, angry and wounded part of him murmurs in distrust--

Why am I being this naive? It will probably be the same as at the circus.



....I hope it won't..Will it..?

This was indeed verian, and somehow he had turned into a child. He felt uneasy.
Reversed aging isn't something anyone can do... He knew manny strong people in the past. But not a single one was able to do that. And that something was here. On the ship. He hasn't seen it, not yet. And maybe he should be happy with that.

He did know, however, that this kind of magic wasn't permanent. After all, this kind of magic usually resets something, only for it to return to normal in a few days. And most people don't stay the same age forever. Exept... maybe some do... He was sure he would return to normal either way. Guess I did pick up something, huh?..

Perhaps he should send the little kid a bit more comforting. Less... stressfull, less out in the open. Somewhere likeeeeeeeee... the storage room? Plenty of goods to nibble on.

"I'll lead you to somewhere less out in the open if you'd like. I know a good place to stay while those dragons are chit-chatting in the captain's cabin. Just find a way down into the ship, all the way down to the hold. Ther' be plenty of snacks to nibble on down there!"

But then something came to mind. If he wasn't the captain right now... then who was?
Don't tell me it's that... wildclaw...


She sighed. "Well then I'll leave that to you, captain." After wich she added a little smirk, teasing her a little.

She walked out of the cabin, looking around.
Maybe she could have a little chit-chat with that other new dragon, the one that just came crashing in. She wasn't entirely sure if they could trust them, but getting to know 'em a little wouldn't be a bad idea.

She walked over to the big hole, where a few dragons were inspecting the damage, and looked down, hoping to see a big dragon. But nope, no luck.
Where could they be?

At the suggestion, the freckled child hummed quietly to himself in thought. The idea sounds good, far better than staying here out in the open where hiding is rather limited given how things are placed.. and the amount of dragons milling about. Overall the risk of being caught and brought back is too high.

But--How can Mr. Nox lead when he can't walk?

Having a friend, or someone fairly close to that at the moment is awesome. However imaginary buddies can't do more than babble in his mind. The ship is rather unfamiliar. So, how are they going to get anywhere? I can walk over there but.. wouldn't the mean pirates somehow catch him..? The boy shakes his head at his own silly musings.

No one can 'catch' the imaginary voice in his head. It's impossible.

I must be getting more sickly.. I have to move out of here.

A sense of tiredness hangs over him... Either because it was a long, rough day or due to the illness from inhaling the strange gas. Or both. Who knows? Stifling a yawn and blinking away any tears that may have formed as he carefully rises to his tail, Verian peeks from around the crate's corner.

Coast clear.


Slowly inching away from his hiding spot, Verian then quickly darts over to the large hole in the deck-- peeking down for a second before proceeding to...


Literally jump down, very much like his usual- grown up- reckless self, doing a parkour roll when he lands down and immediately springs back up from it; Rushing down the hall at top speed-- as fast as his tail can carry him, ducking into open empty cabins when a dragon crosses his line of sight. Only to jump out and continue slithering at impressively high speed.

Almost as if fleeing for his life to escape beating. Or trying to outrun someone wanting to beat him up. (Perhaps the Ringmaster or some troupe members have chased him down before...) Eyes zeroing on whatever is in front of him, on his highest alert, calling out to Noxious in his mind-- hoping for a response.
And fearing he had already abandoned him despite his promise.

Where is the hold?

Noxious was suprised. How could this snake go so fast, without legs?
Either way, he was called for help. So, might as well do so!

"Go straight forward, down those stairs. Then turn around and go straight untill you find a ladder. The ladder will lead down to the Hold of the ship, wich is full of goodies!"

Would he be able to find it? It was indeed correct that, in this state, he wasn't able to guide him that well. Perhaps he could leave a trail? Yeah, that could work!
He gathered up some smoke he had left around the ship and scattered it trough the halls, all the way down to the ladder of the hold.

That should do.


Now he'd just wait.

And, to his relief, the imaginary companion indeed responds. Still sprinting, resisting the pressing tiredness of the 'poison', Verian follows the given instructions while doing his utmost best to avoid being seen by any of the crewmembers.

Then something strange happened soon enough-- a trail appears, leading to the ship's hold. An imaginary, lingering voice, an imaginary trail...The hallucinations are getting worse by each minute that goes by. A stab of instinctive fear pangs in the young boy's heart at the notion of death drawing nearer.. It's all in his head of course, he's going to be okay in the end-- the magic Nox used is not poison.

However, the stress that the child is causing himself on his own, definitely can make him physically ill. Which he would assume to be the 'poison'-- thus, a self-fulfilling prophecy.
.
.
.
.
By now the tiredness weighing down has become exhaustion, the serpent's tail sore from all the high-speed slithering until he reached the ladder. Lungs burn from the exertion and the blond feels like he might collapse any moment if he stops moving.

Still, this is nothing unusual, really.

Heaving shaky, short breaths--Verian steels himself and stubbornly persists. Eyeing the opening and the ladder itself, he briefly considers jumping down like the first time...but it seemed bit too flashy-- the irony-- so this option was scrapped. Lo and behold, the Serthis actually proceeds to climb down like a normal, sane person. Crazy, right?

Once the bottom was reached he lets go, and takes a few steps forth-- looking around the surroundings. Looks like a good spot to camp in, for the current moment. And plan on how to make the ideal-super fast escape.

Hehe, I did it!


...Just as the young Beastclans thinks he got away unnoticed, an echoing voice pipes up from right behind him. This, naturally startles Verian, who yelps and whirls around sharply to see a Nocturne slightly shorter than him. Only by an inch.

--"So that's how you looked as a boy..? Cute, fascinating." Turns out Echo has been following him all along. He attempts to take a step back..but fails. Watching the silvery dragonet circle around him with an air of inquisitiveness. And Echo?



Well, she's oblivious to his fear of dragons. Continuing her little inspection.
--"You look a looooooot different than when you're adult." As she circles around idly and studies the spooked Serthis, the youthful nocturne creases her brows in concern. Who will look after the faun now..? Verian is a kid, Catch hardly wants to stay here and the demon thing is maybe still around....*sigh*

The little dragon just kept walking around the snake. It made noxious dizzy. And the constant talking was... a bit annoying. And it probably was to the serthis, too. Either way, his heart rate was going up high... He must be stressed out real bad.


All the green smoke gathered up in one spot. The serthis would immidiatly feel better, less tired. And there he appeared, the green skydanser. It looked mildly annoyed at echo. "What are you doing here?"

He sighed. He, was trying to calm the serthis down. Make him feel at ease. She, didn't help with that at all. She was a bit of a bother.

"Can't you see he's stressed? He doesn't know us. We are complete strangers to him so you saying all those things doesn't help. Please, leave. You should not always give in to your curiosity."


Yep, he was annoyed.


Turning back to the snake boy, he calmed down and walked past him to a few bags.
"The goods are in here. And yes, it was me who guided you here."

He proceeded to open a bag, food rolling out of it.
"Take whatever you like, there's plenty."

In the meantime, the blond boy watches the small dragon circle and study him with slight but still clear discomfort. Something deep in the recesses of his subconscious squirms at the whole interaction. Though why it was making him feel so iffy was out of his understanding.

Seriously, he's a circus performer for Eleven's sake! You'd think he be used to being gawked at and talked about. Wait...wait,wait,wait. Is she a fan of his? Does she like his tricks?? For a very brief moment the boy's eyes gain a more spaced-out, faraway look as Verian contemplates the odds.

But..I don't remember seeing this dragon at any circus tribune??

And ultimately mentally shakes his head at the ponderings, dismissing the idea. So he watches the small dragonet wince a bit at the Skydancer's harsh tone and sharp tongue then look down in shame. Mumbling a small 'sorry.', the bat-like dragon moves away- crossing over to the door of the room.

The look of apology, worry and slight tinge of sadness before she leaves washes away a tiny portion of his initial fright to being ambushed caught off-guard.



And, with heart still thundering, for a slip second the young Serthis thinks of crossing to her. Ignore his fear of dragons. Comfort the weird hatchling or teen. Like the gentle and sweet kiddo he is. Used to be in his youthful days. Before he grew to a rather spiteful angry teen and a paranoid jaded adult.

Instead, a voice in his mind reminds him to be wary. Not only of Echo, but also of Nox. Sure the Skydancer is nice now. And Verian couldn't be more grateful, but when will he turn around? Ask for a favor of him? A trick? Or something else as a joke and get mad if told no?


---A memory of a beast tamer female Skydancer comes forth holding two infested hounds by thin leashes. She asks a young Serthis to watch over her dogs, knowing full well the creatures won't be nice to him. Her face and voice honey-sweet with underlying hints of amusement and poison. Knowing the little one can't say no to anyone about anything, such a kind one.

He meekly attempts to say no for the first time with an excuse. Three quick, knife-sharp words from her maw about how spoiled he is, how he's so ungrateful after she's the one to so graciously devote her time of day and energy to teach him his very first tricks. And the attempts at refusing die out in the Beastclan boy's throat in an instant before it so much as made a sound.


With shaking form and resolute (so very terrified) eyes, the Serthis hangs his head low in shame at his own (perceived) ungratefulness and agrees.

"Now that's a good boy, thank you dearie~."---

Dazed by the repressed unhappy memory that had momentarily flashed in his mind, Verian barely heard anything from the exchange. Only returned back to reality when Mr. Nox spoke to him. Aquamarine eyes glassy for a second as if ready to well up with tears of suppressed emotions of long built up fear, frustration and pain Gaze holding immense awe and gratitude for the gesture of kindness and generosity.

"Take whatever you like, there's plenty."


For a second, the boy blinks up at Noxious as if stunned then offers the dragon his utmost best ear-to-ear bright smile of gratitude. Eyes holding a glimmer of joy. For that one second the urge to just give Mr. Nox a big hug crosses his mind-- just to show how happy and thankful he is. However he refrains from doing so.

"Thank you Mr.Nox! You are too kind, Sir!" ---Is what the blond snake chirps instead. Hurrying to follow up with--"If I can help you, please tell me! I will do best!" Aaand there he goes fumbling his draconic. Dang it. The serpentine accent of his mother tongue is far thicker than it is in his adult years. Fidgeting awkwardly, the boy gives an embarrassed laugh at his own silly mistake and corrects himself.

"I-um, sorry! I mean-I will do my best! My dragon...speak is not very good. Hehe."

Gods he looks so proud of himself for speaking in dragon right this time.