3rd Lure [Audio]

[dragonform]

[In all of the excitement and chaos, Ryu really didn't have a chance to slow down.  More importantly it was clear something was weighing heavily upon him.  The fact people saw him, even if he was trying to help them...  He doesn't want to risk something like back home happening here.  So Ryu has temporarily retreated back to Fayren with most of the danger over while trying to figure out his next move.  For all he knew, he was worried about nothing.  But he certainly wasn't sure if Nonon could be trusted, and she most likely would have revealed the secret to Satsuki.

There was also Lucy to worry about.  He knows she'll be asking sooner or later, but...  With her friend Natsu, perhaps she'll be more understanding than most about who and what he actually is.  Either way, he wants to know his friends are okay.  Especially Vyers, after the condition he was in.  There was still their little conversation to be held.  It's here Ryu might be found a distance away from his camp, near Fairy Tail in hopes of finding Lucy.]

[PRIVATE TO LUCY HEARTFILIA]
Lucy?  It's Ryu.  I need to talk to you, preferably somewhere private and in person.  The sooner the better.

[PRIVATE TO VYERS]
How's your body holding up?  Can you do anything about regrowing your wings?

[The rest of his message is open to the public.]

I hope you're all recovering well in light of recent events.  Please don't hesitate to call if you need any sort of medical attention.  I may not be a doctor, but my magic can help you recover quickly.

[The poor boy honestly seems kind of stiff in his message.  It's a little clear something is bothering him, but he'll likely chalk it up to the fact that Lucifer was still out there and free to do this all over again.  Sure he's scared of being outed for what he is, but the fact that there's been nary a sound out of Lucifer worries him even more.]

And to the girl I met during the fire who could fly, I think you and I have a few things to discuss.  On neutral ground, if you don't mind.

[It's not like he can make this private, since Nonon never made her identity clear.]

Comments

[ Video ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ After the fire and brimstone only without the brimstone, Lucy had come out of it only with a few burns and a nasty cough - the majority of which was taken care of by Wendy when she returned to the guild with the others. She was watching after the kids for the time being (though she felt like she smelled like smoke still) by the pool when she scanned her network device and saw Ryu's message. She was relieved he was okay, but she wondered if his message was about what she thought it was about. ]

Ryu..? Why don't you stop by the guild? There's just the kids and Natsu around right now, but anything you say here won't go past our walls.

[ She wasn't keeping any secrets from Natsu anymore -- except for one, and that one she had no choice on. So he could be sure Natsu was going to make an appearance. ]

[Action]

[dragonform]

[He doesn't need any more prompting than that, calling out to her when he sees her within the guild hall.]

I'm glad I found you. There's something I need to show you, just in case.

[The boy clearly looks a bit nervous, resting his hand against the hilt of his sword.]

I suppose I need to explain a few things, given what you saw the other day.

[Action]

[celestial_wizard]

[ She hadn't expected him to be that close, but it works. With her and Natsu on child-watching duty, she was thorougly amused just watching Natsu entertain the kids. Hearing Ryu call out to her, she looked up and stood, glancing over her shoulder. ]

Natsu..?

[ She'd been wanting to introduce Ryu to him for more than one reason; now was as good a time as any. ]

I have a feeling I already know what it's about. But you don't have to be nervous - we're all friends here. [ Lucy added to Ryu, smiling. ]

[Action]

[explodewiththerage]

[Playing with the kids by making tiny balls of fire dance around his fingers then juggling from hand to hand really quick much to the cheer and laughter of the two kids. He only lookd up when Lucy called his name.]

Hm? What is it, Lucy?

[He asked pausing in his manipulation of the fire toy before walking over]

[Action]

[dragonform]

You're Natsu? I have to admit, I've been looking forward to meeting someone with a kind disposition towards dragons.

[Ryu glances over to the other teen walking over. To be honest, he wasn't sure what to expect. Before anything else, he turns back to Lucy.]

Still... I'd like you to know just what's at stake. I really need you to keep this a secret.

[Action]

[celestial_wizard]

[ You know that statement just REEKED of how Mewtwo approached her. Jeez, how many times does she have to tell a person she isn't going to tell anyone their secret? Does she have such an untrustworthy face? ]

I've already said that whatever you say here won't go any further.

[ That established, she turned to Natsu, motioning to Ryu. ]

This is Ryu - I met him not long ago. He's been staying in the forest too, here.

[Action]

[explodewiththerage]

Yeah I'm Natsu.

[He eyed Ryu a little cautiously not yet knowing what to make of him. Though something did feel a bit different. Which was why even after the introductions he leaned in closer and sniffed the air around him.]

YOur scent... Doesn't smell like normal people.

[Action]

[dragonform]

[He looks at Lucy apologetically. He didn't mean to upset her, certainly.]

I'm sorry. It's just that a lot of people have wanted me dead because of what I am. When you looked at me and had no fear meant more to me than I could begin to express.

[He gives Natsu a slightly strange look, but he smiles at the statement.]

There's no getting things past you, is there? You're right, I'm not even human to begin with. I'm a dragon, but the true name of my people is the Brood.

[He turns, this time addressing Lucy a bit more directly.]

What you saw me as during that disaster was one of the many forms I've come to learn over the years. As it stands, I'm the last one left alive who still has the power to change. The others died or were forced to give up their power and hide four hundred years ago.

[Action]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Hey at least he didn't try what Mewtwo pulled. ]

I didn't see anything scary about you, when I saw you - and you were helping, after all. [ Natsu's comment about Ryu smelling funny got a glance from the wizard. So tactless. ]

Natsu that's rude - [ Although apparently true. That Ryu admitted to being a dragon was surprising enough, and she looked at Ryu again, curiously. ]

The only one...? [ Actually, now that she thought about it she did recall him telling her a little about the dragons - or Brood - before. But now it had more of a personal touch. ]

I see...that's why you seemed so nervous when I told you about Natsu... [ Thank goodness she cleared up that confusion quickly! ]

Voice

[symphonyofdestruction]

[Naturally Nonon hadn't thought to introduce herself. It was a dangerous time, one not to be wasted on pleasantries. And of course there was the fact that she herself was not all that pleasant a person anyway! What she was, however, was trustworthy. She had said she wouldn't share Ryu's secret, and so far she had kept her word. When she responds to the message directed at her, its brief and to the point.]

Good, you're saving me the trouble of finding you. Pick a location you'll feel safe in.

Voice/Private

[dragonform]

[He includes a list of instructions that lead to an area a fair distance away from his camp. Fayren is reasonably secluded in the forest, and it should be easy enough for them to speak freely.]

I'd rather not disclose anything else until we meet in person. I'll be waiting for you here. Are you coming alone, or is Satsuki coming with you? I imagine she'll have questions of her own, and I've been meaning to meet with her myself sooner or later.

Voice/Private

[symphonyofdestruction]

You helped me out before, but I don't have any reason to trust you yet. You'll be meeting with me. If I decide that I can trust you, we'll see if she wants to speak with you. I'm leaving now, and I'll arrive shortly. Make sure you're there before me, I don't like waiting.

[Once again she's true to her word. The girl leaves as soon as the message ends, heading directly for the area requested. Naturally, the location is left for her allies. She had the feeling it wasn't a trap, but she wasn't stupid enough to just trust someone she had met only once, someone who had shown they had incredibly dangerous powers. She lands a short distance from the meeting spot, moving the rest of the way on foot. Hopefully Ryu was punctual! If she got into a bad mood, it'd make the whole thing much messier then it needed to be.

[Action]

[dragonform]

[Fortunately for the two of them, he was already there chowing down on a bit of breakfast from this morning. Some apples and a bit of meat for good measure. He wasn't going to argue on Nonon trusting him. He thinks her reasons are perfectly valid, especially if she's in charge of protecting Satsuki.]

Well... At least I can count on you to do what you say you're gonna do.

[He's sitting on a stump with his legs crossed when he catches sight of her, sword sheathed and leaning against the stump.]

Better you finding me out here than causing a ruckus in the city looking for a dragon, right?

[Action]

[symphonyofdestruction]

[The only thing resembling a weapon she seems to be carrying doesn't really look like it would much pass for one. Carried lazily at her side is something that looks a bit like a conductor's band with a white tassel on its end. It might be a little annoying to be hit by, but it wasn't a life threatening weapon for sure. The moment she catches sight of Ryu, her arms cross over her chest, the baton lazily bobbing in her hand.]

Of course you can. Did you think I was just going to say I was coming and try and kill you or something? If this is about what happened before, I told you I had nothing to gain by telling everyone what I saw. The only ones that know are Satsuki-sama and myself.

[Apparently, she hadn't even told the other members of Satsuki's little group about it.]

So if you called me all the way out here just to ask about that, I don't see any reason not to just leave. You DO have a better reason, right?

[Action]

[dragonform]

To be honest, I doubt you're strong enough to kill me. You only had a chance to see a fraction of my power. The full strength of the Brood is something I'd prefer be reserved for someone like Lucifer.

[Though with how he says it, there's no insult to his words. To him, it's simply a matter of fact.]

Two other people know. One of them is Vyers, and Lucy met me when I was in another form. My physical features changed, but I imagine she recognized my voice. I'm planning on talking to her later today. I have my reasons for keeping this a secret, though I don't know how much the details will matter to you. I'd like to be up front about all of this because that man is still out there, and there's no doubt going to be other threats to the city.

[He steps off the stump, stretching his legs before resuming talking.]

And I imagine there's quite a bit more to you and Satsuki than just running a school. That was my entire reason for seeking her out. Being chased halfway across the world because people think you're a monster doesn't leave time for any formal education.

[Ryu isn't entirely sure Nonon will believe him, but if nothing else it'll give her something to bring back to Satsuki.]

But that can wait for another day. No, I'd rather propose something to you instead. While I don't want to declare any sort of allegiances, if any of the cities come under threat again, I'm willing to use my power to help so long as my identity can remain hidden.

[Action]

[symphonyofdestruction]

[For what its worth, the petite girl doesn't seem offended. She wasn't here to argue with Ryu. It was quite tempting to tell him how little of her own power she'd shown off, but she manages to keep her pride in check. She can't help but respond just a little, however. She waves her empty hand as if dismissing the whole concept as unimportant.]

If we thought you a threat, my power wouldn't be the only thing you had to worry about.

[She isn't about to give him all the details of the others who were working with Satsuki, though perhaps he would come to learn in time. It was rather impossible to deny that just wanting to educate people was all there was to their group. After all, what normal school would have the sort of resources Satsuki had?]

Vyers? That wanna-be 'adonis' that bugged me the first day I got here? I feel sorry for you having to deal with a guy like that being one of the ones that knows. And Lucy...

[Her eyes narrow.]

Are you talking about the girl from that obnoxious guild? She knows too, hm? I'll have to keep that mind.

[And no, she won't be explaining that little comment.]

Well, you're either a good actor or you aren't a threat. We don't care a thing about your 'Brood' or whatever you called it. The fact that you're something different isn't even slightly important. If it matters so much to you, we'll keep your secret. Like I told you before, there's no reason for us to tell anyone. I'm not scared of you. But neither Satsuki-sama or myself are in the habit of making enemies out of potential allies.

[Action]

[dragonform]

[She was right, he was at a bit of a disadvantage versus a larger organization.]

Vyers isn't that bad. He's got a good heart to him.

[Though he's a little curious just what his relationship is to Laharl.]

Has your group come into conflict with her guild?

[It's at this point he's wondering if contacting Nonon might have been a mistake, though having a bit of insight into her organization could prove helpful.]

I'm an awful actor, to be honest. It's a difficult change to come to a place where people don't speak the name of your race in fear. As it stands now I'm the last of my kind with the power to transform. The others are all dead or surrendered their power to go into hiding.

[Despite Nonon's dismissive attitude, it was quite a relief to hear what she had to say, and it was plain on his face. Maybe he wouldn't feel the need to hide as time went on.]

[Audio; Private]

[beautifulmidboss]

[Vyers was resting in the Nova City Clinic - using the chance to try and recover his strength - when he heard Ryu's message.

Although most of the injuries from the fight had been taken care of, he still felt awful. He still held the blame for the hospital's destruction, and he had not taken his own crushing defeat at all well.

His pride was too badly wounded to open up a video feed as he normally would have, so he replied in audio as well. He still sounded a little tired.]

I am faring better than I was, but…alas, not yet.

[His voice wavered. He had only just begun to come to terms with the fact that he might not be able to recover his wings.]

Are you alright? I must thank you for coming to help me back then.

[Audio; Private]

[dragonform]

Yeah, it takes an awful lot to even slow me down. I absorbed the power of Fire a long time ago, so it helped protect me from the inferno around the city.

[He's glad Vyers is recovering, but Ryu is worried all the same.]

Make sure you get plenty of rest, okay? If you want something brought to you, just let me know.

[Audio; Private]

[beautifulmidboss]

That is a relief to hear... I'm impressed how well you persevered in all the chaos. To be honest, I am surprised I did not suffer more burns when the fire passed through.

[He sighed. That was a small comfort, perhaps.]

I will do. There is little I can do until I have recovered my strength, regardless.

... Some company would be appreciated, if you did not have more urgent matters to attend to. You said there were some matters you wished to discuss...?

[Audio; Private]

[dragonform]

I'm glad you're alright.

[He's already on his way.]

Yeah. I also wouldn't mind getting a look at what kind of hospitals are in Nova City,

[Audio; Private]

[beautifulmidboss]

Likewise to you.

They are fairly well-equipped, from what I have seen so far. Have you visited Nova City prior to this?

[He still was uncertain what Ryu wished to discuss, but the serious matters could wait until they could talk in person.]

[Audio; Private]

[dragonform]

A little, but I feel kinda jumpy around robots. I'm used to them shooting at me more than anything else, so I've kind of avoided Nova City up until now. No real reason to go there, y'know?

[Audio; Private]

[beautifulmidboss]

Mm, I understand that. This place certainly is an acquired taste. Laharl brought me here after…what happened, although it is my first time visiting.

I apologise, I would have come to meet you in Fayren, but I fear travelling in this state is perhaps not the wisest of plans.

[Audio; Private]

[dragonform]

I don't want you to push yourself on my account, it's alright. Where's the hospital you're staying at? I'm almost to the archway for Nova City.