ITT: We Have All Become Dragons!

Jungle

Yeaaaaah, messin' with 'em is a pretty bad idea, Rose... (Cameron warns.) Like, Jeremy's on t'somethin'. Ruby doesn't take anyone messin' with her or Dijon very well. But like, I bet they'll do what they can t' help you even if they can't send you guys back to where you came from.

(The jungle is quite thick. Vines hang down from almost every tree, unusual flowers of many different colors and sizes are in the ground, and the sounds of bugs and birds are everywhere. Not defeaning, but audible enough to be slightly annoying. As we walk, a creek begins running alongside us.)

(I'm still not used to having a big dragon body like this. I find myself having to squeeze myself through spaces that I would have no trouble getting through as a human. Gosh, did I have to end up as such a big dragon?)

(In the meantime, as we follow Cameron, I take in our surroundings. In particular, I stop for a second by the creek to look at my reflection, since I haven't gotten the chance to get a good look at myself yet besides Cameron becoming my double for two seconds. A somewhat slender-looking dragon-face stares back up at me, and I noticed that I have midnight blue backplates running down my back. I have to say, I did end up as a pretty neat-looking dragon.) I still can't believe this is happening... (I comment, feeling my snout and head for a moment as I gaze at my reflection.)

"If they can transport us interdimensionally, the could have at least asked us first. Of course... nevermind."

Wiley's voice falls off in thought, and he only adds that last word as a hasty second thought when he realizes that the others might ask him what's on his mind. Still, his expression is more worried than before, and when he notices the stream he rushes to look himself over, seeming to be looking for something. He cranes his neck up, and tries to get a glimpse of his throat, barely being able to spot the line of orange that follows the path of his spine on the underside of his body as it diffuses into the yellow of the rest of his scales. Afterwards, he bares his teeth and notes that they're all in good condition, though significantly spikier than he remembers. He's about to cup his hands to get a drink of water as well, before the shooting pain in his right wing reminds him that's no longer possible. Instead, he sighs and leans down, flicking out a narrow tongue to reach out to the water and bring some back to his mouth.

"I feel like a dog... a giant scaly winged dog. That's not how they look normally in my universe, if that's what you're worried about."

“Look, whatever you guys were before, I guarantee you’re better off as a dragon. So let’s calm the murderous intent for now.”

Well...I didn't imagine they did. (I say to Wiley as I continue looking at my reflection.)

Yeah, I'm with the newt guy. (Cameron says, stopping to get a drink herself.) Should be just a little bit to the end of the jungle. After that, the ridge is only a little bit further. But I'll wait for you guys to finish drinkin'.

(Feeling that I should probably get a drink while I still can, I get down on all fours, simply stick my long face into the water, and simply slurp up a huge mouthful. I get water up my nostrils, jump up, and quickly snort it out.)

SNZZZZK-!!! Ooops...

"Are you okay?" Hypnos asks Flora as he rushes over to help.

Solomon stops to take a drink, but seeing Flora’s snorting escapade, he decides to wait for another body of water.

Yeah, I think so. (I tell Hypnos, snorting a bit more water out.) Thanks, Hypnos. Gosh, I'm going to have to get used to having such a long snout...

"Ah..." says Hypnos. "To be honest, I rather like this new form, but I have to admit I'm still getting used to it too."

Double post

Edited by DrNoPuma on Jul 1st 2018 at 9:45:11 AM

”This form is Okay, but I kinda miss home...”

(I look back down at my reflection and then back at myself.) You know, now that the shock is starting to wear off, I think I ended up a pretty cool looking dragon myself...I just have to get used to being like this now, too...

Ready to keep moving, guys? (Cameron asks us.)

(I shrug. I'm ready if everyone else is.

Edited by kablammin45 on Jul 1st 2018 at 6:13:04 AM

Solomon nods. “Let’s just hope we get there this year.”

Hypnos yawns. "Yeah, I'm ready to go."

Don't worry, it's not gonna take a year to get there! (Cameron laughs.) Like, it should only be less than an hour from here! Let's keep going! We're almost outta the jungle!

(She merrily goes on her way. I look to the others and shrug.) Well...let's keep going, I guess.

(I start to get going.)

Solomon tags along, so as to find his fellow dragons.

Meanwhile, back in the clutch of eggs, one of them begins to rumble. A crack forms along the side of the egg, which spreads and deepens as whatever's inside keeps striking in that spot.

Finally, a short, wide crocodilian head with rocklike ridges adorning the scalp and neck bursts through the egg. Forcing its fluid-covered body through the newly made hole, the egg gives way and shatters, revealing its spooled up body, its back covered in the same rocklike ridges as its head. It uncoils itself into...a disconcerting amount of body. The lad's long, is what I'm saying.

It looks around, initially confused. A number of assessments are made about its surroundings:

• this is a new place;
• presumably, they are surrounded by their kin, but they themselves are certainly not at birth age, nor is there any consistency amongst the eggs;
• eggs themselves are too large to eat whole and look to be about the same size theirs was at, so it's likely not for them to eat anyway;
• they recall being somewhere else before this, but it's a distant feeling;
• a number of the other eggs have hatched already.

It starts aimlessly slithering between the eggs like a sewing needle threading through fabric. Momentarily, it stops and scans the area for any other activity...

"I'm still bitter..." Rose sighs. "Although, being... you know, a proper girl is really cool."

There are still some eggs left unhatched, and one of those eggs has started to hatch. A dragon emerges, scales a mix of jade and teal. The dragon sneezes, then opens its eyes to a pit in the middle of the jungle. It decides to curl up and go to sleep for now, figuring someone will come back for it.

(As I look around while following Cameron out of the jungle, out of the corner of my eye I feel like I notice something moving.)

Did...um...did anyone else see that? (I say, pointing in the direction that I thought I saw the thing.)

Huh? (Cameron pauses and looks around herself.) What'd ya see, Flora?

Re-posting a invite to the Discord.

"Hmm, I can't see it too well from here. I get the feeling I'd do better if I could be in the air, but you know. Gah... coulda just plopped me down on the ground, but nope, had to go for the comedy. Flying is like the one thing this body should be good at."

As they continue walking, Wiley seems to be sulking slightly, rubbing his head against the bruised part of his wing as if trying to massage it. Eventually, however, a thought passes though his mind and he looks down to the tiny creature that insists it's a dragon to ask a question.

" Hey, you mentioned that I almost ran into an egg back there... how many were left before we got going?"

Solomon looks up to Wiley, and thinks this over. “Hmm... I didn’t get an exact count, but there must’ve been at least a few there... We’ll have to inform these dragons about the egg patch when we get there. I’d ask you to fly back for some, er, reconnaissance, but considering your naivety, I’d say that it would be unwise to fly anywhere.”

"Hey! I tried to stick the landing, not my fault it was my very first time wyvern-ing! But, I do think we should go back there soon. I really don't want to leave anyone else completely lost. What if they got hurt like me? We are close to the village, right?"

Despite his protests, Wiley doesn't seem actually wounded by Solomon's remark, and he does take the time to try to figure out how he'd be able to carry someone if it came to be necessary. His hind legs seemed more appropriate for grabbing fish out of the water than holding something meant to be kept safe, and he wouldn't be able to store things in his wings if he were to fly. The only option he could imagine would be to have someone ride on his back, but he doesn't exactly like the idea of being used as a glorified mount.

“I understand that it’s your first time. That precisely why you shouldn’t risk it. Don’t worry. If they’re born with the same amount of logic and reasoning, then they’ll know to stay put.”

Edited by TacoBadger on Jul 2nd 2018 at 4:52:14 AM

Yeah! We just need to get out of this jungle and over the ridge! (Cameron looks up and says, pointing ahead.)

Guys... (I'm still trying to look for whatever it was that I saw in the grass.)

Flora, like, I don't see anything. Maybe it was a bug or the wind or someone's tail or something? (Cameron says.)

Well...I guess... (I say, shrugging.) Let's keep going.

(I begin walking again, but looking back occasionally at this point.)

"So..." says Hypnos. "What is this village like? Are there a lot of other dragons?"