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Post by David B. on Jan 25, 2013 22:29:12 GMT -8
David landed from the sky, his feet touching the earth with enough force to cause a kickup of dust and tremors, but no cracks. This was, after all, the Crows Nest. He didnt want to damage anything.
As the dust settled, he looked around. Surrounding him were thirty or so Men, blocking his view of anywhere else. They had weapons, and seemed quite unhappy with his presence. He stared a moment long, glancing at a few before lifting a wicker basket with one arm.
"I brought bread."
They were not amused.
OOC: i didnt want to control the crows, so i just put in there "men" were surrounding him. So it could be civilians, or it could be crows. Whatever you guys wanna run with.
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 25, 2013 22:35:15 GMT -8
The Crows who had responded so immediately were alarmed by an apparent Qi user rocketing down from the sky and to the ground right outside the entrance to their base. The guards surrounding him did not yet know who he was and they frowned.
But he had bread. Which was confusing. They didn't think he was hostile, but they couldn't rule it out. They needed confirmation.
One stepped forward, a stern looking man in his late thirties. "State your business."
The other men wouldn't twitch, choosing to keep him surrounded. Who knew if he was an experiment?
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Post by David B. on Jan 25, 2013 22:44:55 GMT -8
David lowered his arm and walked forward, unconcerned with the men, or the weapons they carried. They were like fleas, while he was a bull. Of course, that wasnt to discount their efforts- he was pleasantly surprised by their willingness to enter combat against him. He just... Wasnt threatened. He held out his right hand, which didnt have the bread in it, to shake the stern fellas hand. If the man didnt lift his hand to shake, David would use the wind to throw up his arm into davids hand. He would then proceed to give a hearty greeting.
"David Blaze, Storm Dragon. I'm here to kill you all and take your land."
He would wait a moment or two before bursting out laughing.
"Only kidding. I brought some food, thought I might..oh, I dont know, play nice for a bit, maybe make some friends?"
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 25, 2013 22:56:09 GMT -8
The on duty Guard Captain would refuse the hand offered to him, not willing to take it until the man spoke to identify himself.
And then there was a blast of air and the man's hand went flying up....and right into the strangers.
"Wha...HEY!!"
"David Blaze, Storm Dragon. I'm here to kill you all and take your land."
The man yanked his hand back at this, and all those present with weapons pointed them directly at David now.
"ON YOUR KNEES AND HANDS ON YOUR HEAD, YOU HAVE THREE SECONDS TO--"
And then the Storm Dragon burst into laughter
"Only kidding. I brought some food, thought I might..oh, I dont know, play nice for a bit, maybe make some friends?"
The men stared at the Dragon in confusion and slowly lowered their spears. If he was a Dragon and he wasn't here to take everything he wanted and kill them all...
The Captain looked over his shoulder at his second-in-command. "Go get the First."
He would turn back to David, running a hand over his short cropped hair and sighed. He waved for the other men to stand down and, reluctantly, they did so.
"You gave us quite the scare, Elder Dragon," he let out a shaky laugh. "You have an...interesting sense of humour."
The heart attack inducing kind.
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Post by David B. on Jan 25, 2013 23:05:12 GMT -8
David chuckled.
"Bah, what would we be in war without humor?"
He clapped the man on the shoulder before glancing around at the rest of the men. He gave little nods to some of the glaring faces. Apparently, his jokes was lost on them. Oh well. Delilah would bust a gut.
He was glad they were going to get her. David had realized just how many times Delilah had come, alone and unafraid, to their territory. And yet, he hadnt been there since he left, those many months ago. Might as well get these fellas use to his face, and take the grand tour.
Hell, someone had to give it to him- how many Crows had a tour of their facility?
At least this way, he could see how they were spending their time... Right?
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 25, 2013 23:22:42 GMT -8
"Bah, what would we be in war without humor?"
The most morbid people in the world?
"Haha...yeaaah," he said,giving the Dragon a strained smile.
Having been interrupted with a little play time with Oliver, Delilah had hustled as fast as she could when she heard there was a Dragon on their door step. There were a couple of options as to who it might be, but there were only a few who would dare drop in at the base itself unannounced.
Thusly, Delilah brought Oliver with her. The little white haired boy was clinging to his mother's leg upside down while she walked forward (which was hard to do without her knee hinge operable thanks to the giggling boy).
As she got to the scene, she spied David and broke into a wide grin. She turned to the Captain as she approached, "Dismissed, thank you, Hackett," and the crowd started to peter off.
Oliver, recognizing who they were approaching, swung down off his mothers leg and rushed to the tall man, aiming to hug him around the legs.
"David-san!!"
Seeing this, the other Crows would relax. If the First trusted her only son with this man, then he could be trusted. Satisfied, the others present turned to go, leaving Delilah smiling over at David with a raised eyebrow, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
"Must you be so dramatic?"
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Post by David B. on Jan 25, 2013 23:28:57 GMT -8
As Oliver gripped his leg, David lifted it (and him) off the ground, barely shaking it playfully as some of the men watched, now relaxed.
"Ugh! He got me! He got me!"
David collapsed as the men were leaving, pretending that Oliver had defeated him in some great battle. He opened an eye and looked at Delilah from the ground. Putting his hands behind his head, he grinned.
"Of course! I wanted to make a memorable first impression. I hope i didn't disappoint!"
He glanced around before sitting up.
"Someone stole my brea basket!"
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 25, 2013 23:42:30 GMT -8
Shrieking with laughter at David's antics, Oliver was THRILLED with having felled the Great Storm Dragon! He dropped down from David's outstretched leg and clambered onto his stomach, hitting him ferociously with his power fists that he got from Optimus Prime. And then he scampered off, grabbing the bread basket with him as he went into hiding.
Delilah couldn't help but smile. It was nice to see her son bonding with others. He didn't have enough fun around the base.
"I think your thief is hiding in the nook over there," she grinned, offering a hand to help him to his feet.
"It's great to see you again. Might I ask why you're terrorizing my men?" her grin broadened at this. oh, if only she had been there to see it.
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Post by David B. on Jan 28, 2013 19:54:22 GMT -8
David sat up, looking around for the quick-footed munchkin who stole his gift. He sighed, and then looked back to Del. It wasnt as though the kid could eat it all anyway. He used a gentle breeze on his back to lift himself to his feet. He would be a foot or so away from Del, gesturing to the massive gate behind her.
"Well, this place is nice. I havent seen it in a while... I was hoping to perhaps get a tour...and maybe test your men."
He would drop his arm, waiting. He was not like her, when it came to visitations. David had a plan to make these people his ally, and as a Dragon, he needed to be sure he was making the right choice. So far, he had fought gods, and the Yuy leader- but besides Delilah and Marcus, he had no idea what the average Crow was like. So- as per the Dragon way- he would find out.
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 28, 2013 20:10:22 GMT -8
Delilah dropped her hand as David brought himself back up to his feet on his own. Looking back at the gate over her shoulder as he spoke, she couldn't help but smile at the Crow's accomplishments. Turning her gaze back to David, she would nod, smiling.
"I would be happy to. Oliver?"
Silence, but she knew he was listening.
"Please come back here and give back David-san's basket." A pause. "Now."
At the stern note in her voice, Oliver reluctantly came out of hiding, hauling the basket with him with both hands. He had only been playing! Lifting the basket up as high as it would go, he would offer it back to David, the bread within untouched.
"Gomen nasaaaai." <I'm sorryyyy>
Delilah would look back up at David with a small smile. "Would you like to start with the civilian stuff before I show you the base, or would you rather we just skip the first part?"
A test of her own, perhaps?
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Post by David B. on Jan 28, 2013 21:27:45 GMT -8
David accepted the basket back, grinning, before tossling Olivers hair and returning his eyes to Delilah.
"You know how I hate civilians..."
A broad, pearly white smile.
"Kidding. Of course i'd like to see your people. Perhaps some day, i'll decide to strip your view of us as Spartans, as show you where our people live."
He said this as he followed her, his words purposeful. The Gods, The Crows, nuetral gangs- they all saw the Dragons as nothing but a nose in the air, warrior based society. Yet, even though they did see themselves as superior warriors than most others, their civilians... Well, they enjoyed the true spoils. Streets in Dragon territory were clean, even being rebuilt. They had water, and a steady influx of food from washington, where Mathew brought it from. They had clothes without holes, and working playgrounds. Houses were rebuilt, and jobs were plenty.
The Dragon core themselves? They were poor. They dug and built and moved and fought- they lived like warriors, to maintain strength. Any money, funds or tools they earned in wages and spoils- they were sent to teir families, to their children.
So life would be easy for them.
None knew where the Dragon civilian populace lay. In the secrecy was safety. Never once had they even come under attack. Nor would they, as long as the Dragons expanded their buffer zone further.
David would hand off the bread, which was soft and unspoiled, to a woman who was starting to set plates for a large table- looked like a gathering of friends and family. He would bow in respect, and gesture for them to enjoy before following after Delilah.
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 28, 2013 21:47:19 GMT -8
She would return David's broad grin, "I would love to see that." she replied, leading him on.
The first stop was around the bend, past the main base and into the civilian areas while Oliver skipped and ran all over the place. People working outside occasionally waved or saluted Delilah as she walked by, and she would smile and nod in return, a little embarrassed by the attention. She was a private creature if nothing else.
"So far, we've been really successful in setting up plot gardens for people to work at. There's no one here who doesn't have a job," she would gesture at a group of people tending one of these large plot gardens, filled with vegetables. "They have their own gardens for whatever food they need, usually, and then they can come and 'buy' meat or other things from us at their convenience, though that's just through trade of goods or services. Like food, supplies, or they help us harvest and grow their own food. No commerce other than a barter and trade system. Keeps everyone honest and allows for a sense of community. Those who are unable to work live in our medical facility and are cared for by the nurses there."
It was needless to say that the Crows kept an eye on the system just to make sure everyone was getting their fair share.
The housing though, would leave something to be desired. The houses and 'apartments' were sturdy and well constructed, but they looked rough shod, made from a variety of materials, Delilah would smile sheepishly at David, "This area had a lot of cement, unfortunetly, and little wood. Those who don't live at the base build their own homes or live in large communal ones like these ones. The buildings left standing are better, and we're working on more viable means of housing for them. Those who find good materials, keep what they find unless they are willing to offer it up. That's why you see decent houses and...these things."
She huffed a little breath of air turning back to watch him lay the bread basket on an outside table a family was gathering around. The woman gasped, eyes watering with delight as she saw the fresh bread within, grateful just for the smell.
Touched and impressed, Delilah would drop back a few paces to reach out to David's hand, and gave it a squeeze, smiling a little more.
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Post by David B. on Jan 28, 2013 22:02:13 GMT -8
David returned the squeeze of her hand before releasing it, reaching up to plant his hand gently on the back of her neck, giving a little squeeze then a small pat before he stared at the gardens and fixtures. His eyes missed nothing, analyzing every inch of the people and what they built. It wasnt in the way an enemy would appriase- but in a way someone genuinely interested inspects things. How many walks like this had he taken among his own people?
He had lost count.
Still, for someone who was obviously the "dictator" of their lives, the Dragons seemed content. The people were happy for him, and knew that if they had concerns they could express them without reproach. Davids iron fist of governing extended only to his military- to the people, he was just as kind as he had been to that woman back there. He glanced at Del.
"These gardens are different then ours. We have to use overhead irrigation, as most of our land is city, and still healing. But we are lucky to have many canned goods, bread, ingredients, meat. We could make a healthy trade, if we desired."
Hint of things to come? He left it unsaid. He would continue to follow her, picking up Oliver and setting him on his shoulders as they walked, waving to people here and there as they moved.
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Post by Delilah A. Black on Jan 29, 2013 0:00:34 GMT -8
Her skin prickled at his touch, the squeeze on the back of her neck reminding Delilah that her muscles (OH GOD WHY ARE THEY SO TENSE) were in need of a bit of work. She'd have to think about that later though.
She beamed at David's suggestion of a trade. "It looks as though there will be a surplus in our harvest, more than enough for both gangs. And we salvage a lot from the seat; the other day we had part of a roof wash ashore. I think it would open our borders, make our people more comfortable with each other."
And she just kept right on smiling, laughing a little as Oliver giggled in delight when David put him atop his shoulders.
"I can see eeevvverryyyythiiiinnng!!" he crowed, looking all around himself. "Mama, look, I'm taller than you!"
Delilah winced visibly at the thought of him being old enough to tower over her, like his father before smiling up at her son. "Every one is until the tickle monster comes to visit!" she reached up, ticking his calf, much to his delight and inevitable squirming.
As they would round a corner directly behind the Crows' Nest, they would see a large, bright yellow and orange building come into view, with two sets of two guards manning each entrance. They would stand at attention as they passed, with Delilah saluting in response as they strode past. Oliver would wave most regally from his perch atop David's broad shoulders, ducking down as they entered the building.
Inside, the shrieks, squeals and multitude of footsteps of children at play resonated around them. Kneeling in the entry way was a harried looking middle aged woman with light brown hair tending to a whimpering three year old with a long scrape up her forearm. Her eyes flicked up at the entrance of the three people, knowing who two of them were right off the bat.
"Be right with you,"
"Take your time." Delilah reassured, tilting her head to watch.
The woman turned her attention back to the child, "Now, just hold still, Jessica, this will only take a sec..." she swiped an alcohol soaked piece of cloth over the area and the little girl cried out, near crying. "Hush now, love, no need to fuss, its all over." she soothed, putting a piece of medical tape over the small gash. Picking up the little girl, she walked over to Delilah, smiling a little now.
"First Black. Right on time, as usual."
"Of course. Do you have the list for me, Marlene?"
"Ayuh, I'll be just a moment." without so much as asking, Marlene handed off the still sniffing and red eyed little girl to Delilah before turning her heel and walking down the hallway.
Swaying with the little girl in her arms, soothingly petting the back of her head, she flicked her eyes up to David, "The last year has left so many children without parents, so we take them in whenever we find them. Sometimes we get childless couples in here willing to adopt, and many have found good homes. But we're careful. Even the risk of child exploitation is high, hence the guards at the perimeter. If we're attacked, they're the first to be evacuated.
"I take weekly orders from them for supplies back to the people we need them from. Tailors, toy makers, food, flatware, whatever we can find."
She looked down at the little girl, noticing she had stopped sniffling, only to find her fast asleep and drooling on her shoulder. Delilah laughed quietly, 'Poor thing..."
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Post by David B. on Jan 29, 2013 9:52:33 GMT -8
David grinned as Deliliah tickled her son. She was a good mom- healthy, willing to raise a child seemingly alone, though he knew the boy had a father he had never met him. Perhaps the fella was around and David just didn't know it. Regardless, he would nod at the guard at the gate, smirking as the man stood at attention. He was one of the men from the front, who was ready to try and bring him down. He also seemed a little more than uneasy with David being there at all. David walked through with Del without pausing, nodding as she spoke.
"It is much the same up north. Dozens of kids without parents coming in, or being found during scouting missions. Luckily, we have many parents who lost kids in the chaos, or when the bombs fell, and many are willing to try and take care of them."
He would lift Oliver up and over his head with one arm, gripping the back of his shirt tightly so it hugged his form and kept him from sliding out. He held him out to the side a moment before setting him on the ground as though he weighed nothing.
Which to David, he sorta did.
He would walk over to some of the kids and crouch, smiling as several stood to be near even with his eyes. One, the brave one at the back, waved and spoke.
"Who are you?"
"I'm a Dragon. The Storm Dragon. My name is David. Who are you?"
"Mark." The child paused. "If you're a Dragon, can you fly and breathe fire and stuff?"
David laughed.
"Most Dragons can't breathe fire. Only some. But I can fly, yes.."
His eyes got big.
"Can you show us?"
David took a deep breath.
"Well- I don't think I have to show you guys anything. You seem to already know your stuff!"
Mark and the other kids looked down, and saw their feet a few inches off the ground. Some got a little scared, to which David set them down right away, but many laughed and giggled, doing flips and twirling in the air before he set them on the ground. David stood and tousled his hair.
"Maybe when I come back, I can take you for a wind ride again"
David walked back over as many of the kids laughed and clapped, talking hurriedly to each other and even, in some cases, pretending to be a plane and fly. David would walk over to Follow Delilah, should she have gotten her list, lifting Oliver with one arm again to set him back on his shoulders.
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