fantasy au @ jennomaly

[makingsouffles]

[The werewolf really was just a coincidence.

After a particularly strenuous trip back a couple of thousand years, Idris had needed more than her usual amount of time to rest, and that left Oswin and the Doctor stuck for a day or two in the village where they'd landed. And, of course it just happened to be one that was being terrorized (supposedly) by a werewolf. Oswin hadn't actually heard of it attacking anything more than a couple of sheep, so she doubted it'd actually terrorized anyone just yet.

Still, it was a magical creature, and there was nothing better to manage a magical creature than a mage of her caliber. Or, at least, that was what the Doctor told her, and considering that ego-boosting happened to be one of Oswin's weak spots, she'd agreed to go have a look.

With a ball of light that hovered just over her open palm illuminating her path, she headed into the dark forest that surrounded the little town. The full moon overhead did its best to provide light, but the branches and leaves were thick here. Best to keep to her spells just in case. Being stuck in the dark in a place haunted by a werewolf did not sound like a good place to be, even if she did have magic on her side.]

Comments

[jennomaly]

[She lets out a quiet breath of relief that Oswin doesn't comment on it. Jenny knows she's not normal. It's strange enough that she's a werewolf, but to be a Dragon Lady too...she'd fetch a hefty reward.]

Oh yeah? [She glances at her.] You know if it came down to it, you'd have to kill me to stop me. I...usually have control but...

[makingsouffles]

[She sobers, looking back at Jenny for a moment.]

There's plenty of magic that would've stopped you without that. [Oswin doesn't kill, not anymore. Not again, if she could help it and she bloody well could, even if it was the last thing she did.]

[jennomaly]

Killing me wouldn't last long anyway... [She mutters it to herself under her breath, hopefully quiet enough that Oswin can't hear.]

...So where are we going?

[makingsouffles]

Just a bit farther.

[Eventually, they come to the edge of a clearing and Oswin pulls a leafy branch aside for Jenny.] After you.

[Once she steps though, she'll get a rather nice view of the enormous, bright blue dragon napping in the filtered, early morning sunlight.]

[jennomaly]

Oh...

[Jenny's eyes widen in amazement, and she takes a few steps forward, staring.

Despite her heritage, she's never actually seen a dragon before. Despite herself, her eyes well up with tears and she steps forward carefully.

The dragon opens a blue eye and fixes her with a long stare. Jenny trembles. Her voice is almost a whisper.]

I found you.

[makingsouffles]

Brilliant, isn't she?

[Oswin leans against a tree nearby, watching. She hasn't quite caught what Jenny said, but the look of amazement on her face is more than good enough for her.]

[jennomaly]

She's beautiful. [Jenny carefully lays a hand on the dragon's flank, stroking her scales, and gets a rumble of contentment from Idris. She lets out a soft laugh.]

How did you find her?

[makingsouffles]

She likes you, looks like. [Which isn't all that odd, given that she'd liked Oswin too, but still.]

She's my friend's. Sort of. [Oswin smirks faintly.] Seems like the other way 'round, sometimes.

[jennomaly]

Course she does. [Jenny smiles, continuing to gently stroke the dragon. She's enormous and beautiful and everything Jenny would have expected from her.

Oswin's words drag her attention from Idris.] Dragons don't really belong to people, Oswin. Though they can choose--

[Wait.] ...Your friend. Not human, I'm guessing.

[makingsouffles]

Nope. Dragon Lord. [Oswin glances briefly around, as if the Doctor might be hiding somewhere nearby. Actually, she's a bit surprised he's not around, but then again, he could be off looking for her.]

Last one there is, actually, so far as we know.

[jennomaly]

[Jenny hesitates slightly and glances at Idris. The dragon's intelligent eyes appraise her, and Jenny nods.]

...He's not the last.

[makingsouffles]

...Sorry?

[Wait. Oswin looks Jenny up and down.

Oh.

Oh.] You...you're one, then. Yeah?

[jennomaly]

[She hesitates a moment before nodding. She glances back at the dragon.]

She says I can trust you, and I should, so...I suppose now you know.

[Another nervous sort of nod, and she brushes her hair back again.]

I only met my dad once. I thought he was dead.

[makingsouffles]

Blimey, a werewolf and a Dragon Lady. [Aren't you a special snowflake, Jenny.] Definitely not a lot of those around.

[Oswin pauses. The Doctor's never mentioned having a daughter before, but...] D'you know his name? Your dad.

[jennomaly]

[Jenny's smile is tight and unhappy.]

He called himself the Doctor. I don't know much about him...he didn't visit much.

[makingsouffles]

[Oh.]

That's...my friend's name. [Oswin frowns slightly.] He never really mentioned having a daughter, though.

[jennomaly]

[A mixture of fear and relief floods through her eyes before she contains herself.]

...No, I don't suppose he would have.

[makingsouffles]

[Hmm. Oswin's eyes narrow faintly in confusion.]

Why's that?

[jennomaly]

He probably thinks I'm dead. [She shrugs and sits down against Idris, leaning against the dragon's flank. Idris hums.]

My village was attacked by a werewolf. My mother was killed and I disappeared right after the attack.

[makingsouffles]

[Oswin joins her, giving the dragon's scales a brief stroke.]

...And you've been out here since then, yeah? [There's a pang of sympathy at that. Oswin knows loneliness better than most people.]

[jennomaly]

[Jenny nods slightly.]

I don't stay in the same place long. People are afraid of me.

[makingsouffles]

How much longer will you stay here?

[Oswin's already formulating a plan. Run while you still can, Jenny.]

[jennomaly]

I'm leaving as soon as I can. If they're sending out the mobs, it's not long before they'll trap me or find me when I'm like this...

[She shivers and looks down.]

[makingsouffles]

[Taking a chance, Oswin moves closer to rest a hand on Jenny's arm.]

...you could come with us. [There's, of course, a chance that the Doctor won't let Jenny come, but Oswin doubts it highly. Especially hearing what she had to say.]

[jennomaly]

[There's a rumble of assent from Idris. Jenny bites her lip nervously.]

I...I'm not good around people.