Crossing Paths

[Lemmy Koopa]

The night came and went for Ludwig and well the little tyke, namely Jr. Troopa, were resting inside the secondary home belonging to Abilene as she offered them a night to stay. Fortunately, it was decent enough for them, not really high-class but neither the opposite and it was peaceful enough to have a nice long rest throughout the night. However, it remained silent until later that morning when the female had awakened and fixed up breakfast for them; give or take, it was nice of her to provide her hospitality.

Time passed and the remaining two had awakened from their slumber and knowing Ludwig, he was specific on grooming himself to look his best, hair and all. After all, that was in his morning routine, but even so, it felt odd that he wasn't at the Castle. Oh well..

The younger was already in the kitchen where the food was being served, eager to eat again and being rowdy while at it, only to cause the woman to tell him to calm himself down, before Ludwig came out.

"Good morning Ludwig," she said as she noticed the blunette just as he exited out the room and he replied with,"Good morning to you as well,"

He looked over to Jr. Troopa with a disapproving glare as he asked,"Why is it that you are being so rowdy this morning? Haven't you heard of showing respect to others?"

"I'll be respectful when I want to be," replied the younger with a hint of arrogance in his tone, causing the blunette mentally sigh. This is going to be a long day..

"Don't stress yourself out there," replied the female. "After all, it's a new day, a new start, is it not?"

The blunette nodded with a smile as he came closer to the table while she was about finished with serving food and boy, did it look tasty. "Very true words and I do have to admit, your cooking is excellent judging from the food provided,"

The woman chuckled as she replied,"As long as you're happy, the thought makes it matter,"

Eventually, the three went on with their meal and soon enough, both Jr. Troopa and Ludwig exchanged their thanks and farewells to the woman who had assisted them out with their situation before leaving on their next destination.

Thankfully, they were given extra goodies along for the ride as a gift, but it was given in a little basket for Jr. Troopa to hold onto.

En route on their journey, Ludwig looked over to Jr. Troopa as he said,"You were fortunate that she was kind to us especially to someone with your ridiculous behavior. Didn't your parents teach you anything?"

Jr. Troopa looked down away from the blunette as he replied,"I've never knew my parents. I hatched in that stupid Goomba Village all alone and besides, it's not like they would care for me,"

In a sense, it did made him feel upset.

"An orphan you say? Hmph. So that explains the poor mannerisms that you carry. Atleast it's a better excuse than of my brat little brother," sighed Ludwig as the mere thought of if made him annoyed before the younger asked,"Who the heck is that?"

"Someone I don't want to take about anymore," he scowled. "Let's just..let's just get out of here before the pestering patrol squads from Camelot come our way. I don't want to come across trouble, that's all,"

Even though he didn't show it, Ludwig did feel a sort of pity for the young one being alone in a big world such as this.

[Undyne]

Not too far off from where the Koopa duo was headed out, the portal from the Nexus to Camelot flickered as Alexyana, still riding her Kumdo, passed it. The mount's massive head came through first, followed by its shoulders and torso, then finally revealing Alexyana who was sitting on its back, holding the reins and comfortably in her saddle. Alexyana let the reins loose a bit though the Kumdo walked on to get the rest of its body through the portal, and walked on for a bit before stopping as the dragoness gave it no new orders.

Alexyana stood up in her saddle and took in the sights, covering up her eyes with a hand and whistling between her teeth. It seemed like she'd been right to go through this portal first: the world she had come into reminded her a lot of Earth, the way it had been when she'd left it. Around her were several paths leading away from the portal towards various locations, though Alexyana knew none of them, and some amount of forest in her direct surroundings obscured her vision more. But off in the distance she could see the massive towers of a city rising into the sky. Hmm, possibly human? The architecture looked different than anything she had seen before.

Once more she dismounted and took the Kumdo's reins to lead it alongside her, taking a path that would put her on a perpendicular route to the city, gradually leading away from it. She didn't want to get there just yet... as an adventurer she found that the wildlands had a tendency to tell much more about a location than the cities and "civilized" areas, if one knew what to look for. She took deep breaths of the fresh forest-y air and looked left and right while heading down the path. Though it was leading through a lightly forested area it had few twists and turns and thus any travelers on that same route would easily spot her from a distance. Another opportunity to learn about a place...

A city is like a theater where people wear masks, she silently thought to herself. Masks that conceal their true intentions, that hide sadness behind a smile, guilt behind a surprised face, hatred behind a friendly handshake, and anger behind indifference. Out here these subtle intrigues and complicated politics aren't really needed - there are fewer people to witness your sadness or anger, and if you hate someone you can solve the problem right there. Of course some people wore masks, but they were more honest than in any city. And because that random person you cross on the road might just pull you out of a swamp you fall into the next day, being friendly and open was much more common than in the city where everyone is everyone's foe.

Lost in her little philosophical ramble the dragoness hardly noticed that she was already getting out of sight range from the portal and delving into Camelot's forest bit by bit, continuing on the path that she had no idea where it led to.

[Lemmy Koopa]

The Koopa duo were traversing along the forest as the younger tyke was on alert, serving as a bodyguard for the other in a sorts to ensure that no punks from Camelot messed with them in general. The blunette in a sense was thinking to himself as he was wondering how Iggy was faring in that Castle; probably relieved at the fact that he's homebound even though the blunette has his regrets.

As much as he rather avoided his brothers, this time it was the opposite being to the fact that it's been so long since he's last seen them and then, there was this little tyke who happens to be an orphan. Ah the perks of being the eldest of all seven, you just run into unexpected twists and turns that Life loves to throw over to you.

Even while the blunette was distracted, the little one noticed something in the distance within the shrubbery of the forest and being the first to check, he sprouted out his little bat wings to fly ahead causing Ludwig to momentarily go after him in a rush.

He had to watch out for things for the duo especially when they are in Camelot's territory by themselves.

[Undyne]

"Hmm?" Alexyana lifted her head when she heard a sound disturb the silence of the forest around her. Was that a bird? She continued on her way though, all she changed was tightening her grip on the Kumdo's reins a little. The path she was walking along of was just going into a lengthy curve so if there was someone too far away the bushes and trees blocked any clear sightline.

When Ludwig began to head after Jr Troopa in a rush the dragoness's slightly raised awareness turned into fully alert: yup, there definitely was someone there. Still she didn't diminish her speed or even stop or stray from the path to hide, as she thought it unlikely that there'd be people with hostile intent setting up an ambush this close to the portal - she was not in sight of it anymore, but only around an hour of walking away from it - and causing that much noise too.
Judging from the rhythmical sounds she had heard first and the sound of someone running on the ground, maybe it was a falconer going after their bird or something. Just to be safe, she switched over to the side of the path where the open sight was longest so that she'd see the other person a little sooner. Then she continued on her way.

[Lemmy Koopa]

The arrival of Jr. Troopa in the area meant the arrival of Ludwig as he kept close behind him. Soon to stop afterwhile, he looked around the surroundings for a bit; odd there was someone there, he could've sworn that there was.

Upon catching up to him, Ludwig panted heavily from running only to say,"Dear child..don't..do..that..AGAIN! If it would had been..someone from Camelot..we would had their guards after us.."

"I saw someone there," replied the younger as he looked down to the blunette with a hint of seriousness. "My eyes are hardly wrong!"

Afterwhile, the blunette breathed in and out before he cleared out his throat and regained composure as he asked,"What did they look like? Did you have a good visual?"

"I saw a silhouette somewhere in the forest but it didn't look like a person," the younger replied as the other intervened,"It must be a creature from the forest or another Prime like me had made it across. Either or, our answer lies in one of those, but dear goodness child, watch yourself. If something were to happen to you-"

He paused for a bit while in his thoughts causing the younger to grow curious as he asked,"If something was to happen to me, what?"

Ludwig shook his head and replied,"I-it's nothing. Just be careful next time; remember, we cannot be reckless as the forest is filled with unexpected dangers that lurk around every corner,"

[Undyne]

There was definite mumbling to be heard not too far from where she was. The dragoness frowned. Unless this was the worst ambush ever or a falconer was talking to their pet, her two initial theories probably were wrong. Maybe there were people there talking to each other, and a bird?

... we cannot be reckless as the forest is filled with unexpected dangers that lurk around every corner."

Finally she made out separate words, and they made her smile. Travelers, just like me... and from the sound of it they are unfamiliar about this place too! Her frown turned into a bright smile (although an outsider might think that she was growling, as she was baring her teeth a fair amount) and she loosened her grip on the Kumdo's reins again, then walked in the direction of where she had heard the sounds from. They were on the path, but a bit further down... she waited until she was a bit closer but not quite in sight yet, then shouted:

"Oi! Anyone out there? I heard you speak!" She paused a moment, then added. "I'm friendly, don't be scared! I'm on the beaten pathway through the forest, we should run into each other soon I believe!" At her current volume Ludwig and Jr Troopa should hear her unless there was interference.
After finishing Alexyana walked on, curious to see who she would run into. More soldiers? Or perhaps someone else?

[Lemmy Koopa]

The duo perk up at the sound of the voice. It sounded like a female, perhaps a traveler? They weren't sure but the younger was eager to follow after that voice, however the blunette said,"Stop. Do not be brash about your choices,"

Jr. Troopa groaned as Ludwig lead the way carefully and noting by his nature, he is on guard by all means in the matter of fact. Sometimes you have to be skeptical on who or what would happen next as the blunette cannot chance it.

As they traversed among the beaten down forest pathway, the blunette was stern about these circumstances. Even if the day is new, one simple slip-up of carelessness could cost the entire situation into a nightmare.

[Undyne]

Finally Alexyana came into sight, and at that same time came into view for the duo as well. She was a rather impressive sight, standing about three meters tall and with the massive furred beast that she was leading by its reins. Of course, Alexyana really had no ill intent and the Kumdo was as peaceful as a tamed horse, but one couldn't know that from looking.

Upon catching sight of the two, she raised one hand, palm open and pointed towards them while separating the hand holding the reins from her body to show that she was unarmed. She hoped that this gesture would be understood around here. "Greetings, strangers!" She said, still rather loudly as they still were a good 200ish meters apart from each other. But she was steadily walking towards them to diminish that distance (and besides, it was the way she was headed anyway) so she could gradually lower her voice as she came closer. "I promise I mean you no harm, I'm just passing through." She added after a few seconds of silence from her end, then fell quiet to wait for the other two's reactions.

[Lemmy Koopa]

Looking up to the dragoness, the younger wondered for a bit as he crossed his arms looking between Ludwig and her, to which the blunette walked over to the female and cue him becoming the ladies' man.

Such beauty, why does it entrance him so? Perhaps it's to the fact that he's never met draconic females outside of his species.

Once he was in front of her, he bowed politely as he said,"Hello there madam. My name is Ludwig von Koopa, the eldest of the Royal Koopa family and the child over there is Jr. Troopa. I do have to say the you are quite the lovely sight and if I may ask so, do you happen to be new around here?"

His greyhued eyes were locked at the female's own. Granted that he has acted this way, a part of him had to remain on guard, after all, even the females have their ways of deception.

[Undyne]

Alexyana bowed respectfully in return and gave an honest smile as she replied. "Greetings to you both, too. I'm Alexyana Umbranox of Cannaerborg, though I suppose that the last bit doesn't matter much around here anymore."
She passed over his compliment and instead gave a nod at his other remark. "It must be written on my forehead or something, but yes I am. It's an odd story, really - I woke up in a void and met a faceless white being that... well, he introduced himself as Omni, as having summoned me here and giving me a brief introduction to this world before I found myself in it."

While speaking she took the time to examine the two she was speaking with, though she paid more attention to Ludwig as he was speaking. She let go of the Kumdo's reins and patted its neck to which the beast folded its legs beneath itself and laid on its stomach, waiting. "You seem... wary. Did I stumble into a dangerous world?" She inquired. "I don't blame you for being careful around a stranger, of course, but you seem a little too careful for that." In hopes of softening the other one up a bit she offered another smile. While purposedly not being in any battle-ready stance she remained on guard to some extent, as just like Ludwig she didn't know what to expect of this world and the people she was speaking to. But appearing overly careful would mean that cracking the ice would take that much longer, and she didn't want to get to that point.

[Lemmy Koopa]

"Camelot is not exactly a friendly place for non-humans. Well, perhaps with rumors of Dalaran would be different but who knows," he shrugged. "You're see, I had several..unfortunate.. events occurred to me while I was here last time,"

That was the reason why he wanted to get even.

"..so there's nothing wrong with being wary of your surroundings," he nodded before he looked around a bit before he asked,"Enough about my worries though. I've never actually seen a dragonblood outside the Koopa clan before, so you're a start,"

He eventually smiled at her.

[Undyne]

"You're dragon then? I'll admit that I mistook you for some form of... turtles when I first saw you. Where I come from, when there used to be dragons the closest that came to you were Tarrasques, and those guys weren't bipedal. Six-legged dragons with a turtle shell and the head of a lion. You seem much more human-like."

She paused for a moment, taking her time to look Ludwig and Jr Troopa over more closely, and hoping that it wouldn't come over as staring. Then she spoke again. "You mentioned a clan? Does that mean that there are other dragons like yourself around somewhere in this... place?"

[Lemmy Koopa]

"If you look around Ashen Steppes. After all, the volcanic activity there is a big giveaway," the blunette explained to her. "It's past the Tangled Green, which isn't that far from here; rather a short walk over, however I will need to advise that you to be careful. Dangers lurk around every corner especially with the Camelot patrols being on high alert around here,"

He really didn't like them..

[Undyne]

"Ashen Steppes, past the Tangled Green... I got it. Thanks for the help, and the warnings, but I think I can handle myself around here. Just gotta get used to the laws of this place and-"

The dragoness cut herself off and backed away from Ludwig and Jr Troopa a few steps when her sensitive ears caught something. Moments after she'd backed away a large brown-furred creature bursted out from the foliage and landed at just the spot she'd been standing at, slamming its two front paws where Alexyana had been with a deep growl. The Kumdo backed away and gave a fearful scream before running away back the way they'd come from. As for the beast... It looked a bit like a bear, but it was longer, with shorter fur and much more developed mandibles - the jaws stood out from the rest of the skull in a similar fashion to a baboon's, but they were sharp and pointy like those of a carnivorous predator.
It had aimed for Alexyana, apparently considering her to be the bigger threat and attempting to get her first. Alexyana eyed the two Koopas for a few seconds, then she turned around on her heel, slapped her tail across the beast's face to enrage it and began to run.

"I'll be seeing you two!" She yelled as she ran from the beast that gave an enraged roar before setting out after Alexyana. The Koopas would be safe, at least for now, while the dragoness did her best to lure the beast away from the path while following her Kumdo.

----------------------------------

She was almost all the way back to the portal before she noticed the Kumdo in the distance and turned around. She allowed the beast to slide past her with its momentum and the surprise, leaping onto its back and digging its claws into the back of its neck. "You're a strong predator, but you got the physique of a bear." She remarked as she cut through the nerves of the beast's body with her claws, killing it before it could even stop its slide. It was a quick, painless death...
She pushed the carcass off the road into a few nearby bushes and examined it. But this one was only a young adult, its fur wouldn't be enough to fashion any warm clothes with it. She cursed to herself, then took the Kumdo's reins and eyed her surroundings. Ludwig and Jr Troopa were far off now... it had been nice to meet them but that conversation was over now. She instead returned towards the portal. Camelot was an interesting place, but where might the other portals lead?

OOC
Alexyana and Ludwig are parting ways for now - thread is closed.