trans_9 | Of malfunctioning portals, parks and dragons [Open]

Celena sensed her initial hesitation about speaking on the ability, she wondered just what had been happening on her world to require such secrecy, not that she was unfamiliar with such secrecy herself when it was required.

"Indeed, you are one of the others Marco mentioned then, fear not, I shall not spread the information," She smiled reassuringly down to the smaller human, "If you would like, I am always interested in better studying the transformation, I have observed Marco's own transformation a number of times, it is a far different process than that some of my own people are capable of, though far more thorough from what I have observed,"

"You are welcome," She replied earnestly with a warm smile. While cautious out of necessity she was sure, Cassie was far less..paranoid than Marco, and more friendly from the first that was for sure.

"Thank you, Celena," Cassie smiled at the dragon, grateful that Celena understood. She nodded. "I'd be happy to show you." She looked at her new friend curiously. "You can morph as well?" She'd never heard of dragons transforming into other forms in any of the stories that she had heard, but given that she'd have written dragons off as myths not too long ago and now she was speaking with one, she'd accept just about anything right now. "Are any of your people on the ship?" She hoped that the friendly dragon was not alone.

She looked around to make sure no one else was near and considered which morph to chose. She finally decided to showcase her Great Horned Owl morph. Owls were incredible birds. Fast, silent, and, although it wasn't dark now, their vision could cut through the darkness as though it wasn't even there. She was very fond of the morph.

Trying to keep the process from being too hard to stomach, although Celena must have understood what she was in for if she'd seen Marco morph, she tried to control the morph. First the wings grew and she began to shrink. Tail feathers sprouted as more feathers covered the rest of her body. From this point, there was little she could do to make the appearance any more appealing. Her feet were replaced with talons, her legs became bird-like, and her face became the owl's. It wasn't long before the morph was complete.

< I hope that didn't bother you too much. > she said worriedly. < It's not really a pleasant process at the best of times, but since you mentioned being interested in studying the process, I didn't move out of sight. I wasn't sure how much Marco showed you. >

Edited 2011-08-15 03:19 (UTC)

"You are welcome, Cassie," Celena smiled in return with a dip of her head, a soft chuckle given at her question, "Not personally, at least not on my own, not an ability I've yet been able to master," she replied before shaking her head, "Unfortunately not, there are no others of my kind or indeed, any others from my world aboard,"

Celena herself swept the area with her own sharp gaze for any others before giving a nod to Cassie once she believed there were no others. Watching on with great interest as she began to morph. Observing the process with no sign of disgust what so ever, but rather great curiosity and interest, occasionally throughout the process, Celena shifted her vision to watch the process through her true sight, the world visible in terms of energy, magic and life. During such times her eyes glowed softly.

Once the process was complete she smiled warmly, shaking her head, "Not at all, I have seen far worse believe me, it is quite an interesting process to watch, thank you,"

Cassie nodded as Celena talked about her own transformation ability, fascinated to learn more about her companion and, although, she was tempted to ask further, she held her tongue for the moment.

She was distressed to hear that Celena was here alone. That had to be terribly difficult for her. She was quiet for a moment before lowering her head, "I'm sorry. I hope that someone you know from your world appears soon. In the meantime though," she said with an encouraging smile, "At least you have your friends on the ship." She hoped that Celena had many of them and that she herself might one day be fortunate enough to be referred to as such by the kindly dragon.

She was grateful for Celena's help in keeping an eye out for anyone who might oversee them and interested in her companion's reaction. Most people, when faced with morphing were either disgusted, horrified, impressed, or some mix of those. Celena's reaction didn't seem to fall into any of those categories. Instead, Cassie could see only honest curiosity in what she could work out of Celena's expression. She found it encouraging.

< Really? > Cassie might have smiled had she been human. She tilted her head, considering. < I have too, but it can still be rather rough to watch someone morph. Birds aren't the worst of them though. It can be very disturbing to see a person become an insect or an insect become a person. And you're quite welcome. Feel free to ask whenever you wish. > She was quiet for a moment. < Can I see your transformation? I'll understand if you'd rather not. I don't wish to pry, > she added worriedly.

(OOC: I'm sorry. I wasn't sure whether to respond to the first part in regular speech or thought speech, but I went with regular speech because, in a normal conversation, Cassie probably would have responded to Celena's comment before morphing and I wasn't sure what the proper etiquette on this was. I can fix it if it's wrong. Thanks for your patience!)

Edited 2011-08-17 03:53 (UTC)

Celena dipped her head softly with a smile as Cassie spoke, "Do not worry yourself, and indeed, I have met many aboard that I would not have had the chance to otherwise, and I find myself quite lucky in that respect of it all," she replied in turn, her smile growing warmer as her thoughts drifted over Aibghalien before returning to the moment at hand. Cassie herself she thought could prove fine friend indeed.

"Quite so, it would take quite a bit indeed to disturb me I dare say," She replied with a soft shake of her head and a chuckle, "I shall be sure to keep that in mind, thank you,"

"You may, though this transformation is not one of my own doing, but one made available by Aibghalien, he constructed and enchanted a ring that allows me to take on an elven form, just as he has one of his own that allows him to take on a draconic form," she explained easily, it wouldn't be hard to notice the tone of affection she had when talking about Aibghalien. After she'd finished explaining she spoke the command words to the ring, her form rapidly changing, shrinking down to that of red haired, lithe elven form.

[OOC: Not a problem at all! Really sorry about the large delay with this one >.<]

Cassie watched with interest. So, Celena's ring allowed her to do this? In a sense then, their abilities were perhaps not that different. Cassie's own special abilities were, after all, not naturally hers either, but the result of Andalite technology.

< My transformations are not natural for me either. My friends and I were subjected to alien technology that gave us this ability when we were younger, > she told Celena. < I have the ability now, but it's not something that was mine originally. >

She recognized the affection in Celena's tone for this Aibghalien immediately. Cassie would have smiled had she been human. < Aibghalien must be a good friend for him to do something like that for you. That was very kind of him. >

(OOC: No problem at all. I'm glad that you're back. :) )

Celena smiled easily down to Cassie as she 'listened' with a good deal of interest. That Cassie's morphing ability and indeed quite probably Marco's as well were the result of alien technology drew her curiosity and interest all the more. "Oh indeed? I am curious as to the manner of technology that allowed you to do so, I assume Marco and others here with the same ability as your own are a result of the same process?"

She dipped her head with a warm smile at her comment as to Aibghalien, a soft easy chuckle given as she replies "He and I are more than good friends and it was indeed, a manner for us both to spend time together in similar forms to one another, without the need for relying on his Polymorph spells, it certainly does have its uses,"

< I don't know much about how the device worked, > Cassie admitted. < How that piece of technology functioned was never really explained to us, even after we came back into contact with the alien race in question. Apparently, you had to touch the device for it to grant the ability. Beyond that though, I only know the way the ability functions. > And the dangers associated with it.

With that in mind, she surveyed the area again with her owl eyes and then morphed back to human. It hadn't been anywhere close to two hours, but there was no reason to risk forgetting when it wasn't necessary. Besides, the morphing bought her time to debate how to answer Celena's next inquiry. She was uncomfortable sharing information on her friends without their consent, but it wasn't like it was a hard jump to realize that if it worked this way for her, it had to work this way for them. Cassie silently apologized to them and hoped that they wouldn't be angry with her. When she was human again, she added cautiously, "We got the powers together."

Looking anxiously at Celena, she asked, "This will be a part of the information that you won't share, right?" She trusted Celena, but that didn't mean she was willing to trust everyone else without meeting them first. She'd lived in fear for too long to be able to be rid of it so easily.

Cassie smiled as she listened to Celena talk about Aibghalien. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you two!"

"That is understandable, technologies other than ones own can be hard to understand at first," she dips her head at that before canting her head with curiosity, the device gave the power from touch alone? "No small device in its ability to give others such powers it would seem, interesting. Some races can be hesitant on explaining how their technology works,"

Celena watched quietly once more as Cassie began to shift back into her natural form, once more showing no sign of disgust, merely interest as before. Once she spoke though Celena gave a light nod, noting her caution, "Of course, I will keep this information to myself," she replied reassuringly, all at once, that must have been quite the event.

She smiled brightly at that just about grinning as she dipped her head, "Why thank you,"

"The device wasn't like anything I'd ever seen before," Cassie said with a slight smile. "Not that that would be hard at the time."

The Andalites had certainly been hesitant in sharing information and technology with others. Cassie understood that hesitation, even if she wished that it could have been different. Still, she was glad that Celena hadn't been upset with her own lack of knowledge. "Thank you for understanding, Celena. I wish that I could tell you more."

Her face relaxed at Celena's reassurances and she smiled. "Thank you. That makes me feel much better." She was happy to have found someone else on the ship that she felt that she could trust and her face reflected that fact.

"How does your ring work?" she asked, her curiosity obvious in her eyes. A bit uncertainly, she added. "You said that the ring was enchanted? Like... with magic?"

(OOC: I'm sorry that this took so long.)

"Indeed, there only few who would have, really," Celena dipped her head at that with a smile. Indeed the technology of her own kind was not one that was wide spread in the least outside those her kind had specific dealings with.

She gave a friendly smile as Cassie visibly relaxed, "You are welcome Cassie," she replied with a clear sense of understanding. Having those you could trust amongst a great many who could be potentially hostile was no small thing.

That drew a soft chuckle, "Indeed, that would be the correct assumption, Aibghalien enchanted the rings with a spell that changes the form of the user into that of another being,"

(OOC: Not a problem! Sorry about my own delays, Uni has been a little busy)

Cassie hesitated at the confirmation of what she'd believed about the ring, a bit uncertain. She had long since accepted that there was a great deal that she knew nothing about in the universe. Experience had told her that much, but it could still be hard to come to terms with something that she'd thought only was only present in fiction. But, then again, at one time, she'd have grouped dragons and aliens as fictional as well and clearly that was untrue. She knew that time would remove at least some of her discomfort, but in the meantime, she stiffened some at the thought.

Still, her curiosity overcame the discomfort enough that she questioned it further, taking a deep breath as she forced her body to relax. "You mentioned that others of your kind though can transform naturally, right? Or is that too the result of a magical item? Can you use magic on your own?" She looked the transformation up and down. "It certainly works well. I don't think that I'd ever have been able to guess that this isn't your true form. Does it have a time limit?" She still sought connections between her own abilities and Celena's to help her better understand.

(OOC: I don't know if you want to take this in that direction yet, but Cassie probably isn't ever going to ask about the whole acquiring Celena thing. Morphing sentient beings is something that has always made her uncomfortable, so Cassie probably wouldn't ask. Celena might have to be the one to bring it up whenever you think that would be appropriate as long as that's okay with you. If it's not okay then let me know and we'll work something else out. We don't have to go in that direction yet though if you don't want to do so. I'm enjoying the conversation as it is right now and playing this out further sounds fun, but I thought that it might be best to let you know how I was planning on playing Cassie over that situation. Thanks!)

Edited 2011-08-28 00:42 (UTC)

Celena noted her discomfort and uncertainty in the confirmation. After all from what she had gathered the skill or capability of magic did not necessarily exist within all the worlds that those on board hailed from.

"Indeed I did, that is of their own doing rather than by use of a magical item such as this. Rather by use of their own energies to perform the transformation," She explained easily with a dip of her head, "I myself can utilize my energies to a vast number of uses, for instance," At that she gestured to a nearby rock, the rock slowly lifting and drifting over to hover above her upturned palm.

"This particular transformation has no strict time limit, though is restricted only to this particular form, the spell Aibghalien utilized prior had a time limit of around a week before it wore off," Celena replied easily before asking in turn, "I gather you're own transformation ha a time limit of sorts?"

(OOC: That's fine, understandable that Cassie herself wouldn't. I can have Celena bring the topic up in the next tag perhaps and start moving the conversation in that direction. Rather enjoying this conversation between them as well myself, welcome!)

Cassie tilted her head as she listened to Celena's explanation, her eyes widening as the rock began to move without ever being physically touched. "That's... impressive," she murmured, instinctively starting to reach a hand out to touch the floating rock before quickly jerking it back as she thought better of it. "Energies, you said? How do you make it do things like that? Is it difficult for you to do?"

Cassie nodded and smiled. "Interesting. Thank you for sharing all this with me." Her face then took on a more solemn look as she considered Celena's question. "Yes, it does," she admitted. "The morphing technology is incredible, but it has some dangers associated with it, one of the most serious of them being that it allows for only two hours in a morph. Any longer then that and you become trapped in the morph."

(OOC: Whenever you wish to do so would be great. Thank you. :) )

Celena watched her expression with interest dipping her head with a smile, "Indeed, by manipulating my energies by will I and my kind can cause many effects, it takes a great deal of time and training to properly utilize ones energies," She explained as she had the rock slowly rotate before letting it drift down to the side to set down.

"You are welcome, Cassie," She dipped her head with a warm smile, listening on as Cassie explained the dangers of the morphing technology, "Interesting...that is quite a danger, is there a time you must remain 'demorphed' between morphing or does the time limit reset as it were with each morph?" She asked with some curiosity.

After a moment of thought she spoke the command words to her ring, her form within seconds returning to its natural state, "I am curious, Marco mentioned others that might be interested in acquiring a form like my own, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Her eyes remained on the rock as Celena continued to manipulate it, until it finally settled back on to the ground. "That makes sense," she mused quietly. "It's incredible that you can do things like that."

She tilted her head. "The time limit resets with each new morph. The only limitation there is I must pass through my original form before moving to the next morph. As an example, I could not have gone from my owl morph to any other. I'd have to become human again in between. Once human though, I could go to any of my other morphs immediately assuming that I wasn't too tired to morph and the time limit would be reset again to two hours."

Cassie hesitated at the question and she bit her lip. The morality behind acquiring sentient beings had always troubled her. Only with consent had been the overall decision on that finally, although, despite their best efforts, they hadn't always been able to hold to that promise. The whole issue had always troubled her. It felt... wrong.

"I... don't know," she whispered finally. "It could be helpful, but... would you be willing? I don't want..." Her voice trailed off. Celena had been so kind to her already. It seemed wrong to ask any more of her, especially something as important as the use of her own form. No, she could ask no more. If Celena offered the opportunity of her own free will then Cassie would probably not refuse, but she would not put any more pressure on her new friend. It would be wrong. "It's your form, Celena. I can't ask you for so much."

Edited 2011-08-30 18:39 (UTC)

Celena dipped her head at Cassie's comment, "There are many things all can do that may be called incredible I dare say, even if not so flashy," She replied with a soft chuckle, after all there was much even those without such abilities could do.

"Interesting indeed, so by returning to your human form you effectively reset the time limit. Is it possible to morph from one non-human form to another form even with the time limit in effect? Or must you always return to human?" She asked with a measure of curiosity, such aspect intrigued her even as much as the initial use of the ability.

Cassie's hesitation did not go unnoticed, that she indeed showed such hesitance showed an aspect of her morals, one that Celena approved of, and for that reason she was more willing to consider the idea. "I am open to the idea and willing, depending on what you may use it for," She replied calmly though with a greater sense of seriousness than previously, before going on, "Though before the idea is considered I must note, that while the morph would have the same form as my own, as Marco can confirm, the markings that adorn the form, take on a different configuration, reacting to a different personality and mind, to those who know me, it would be clear that you are not I,"

Cassie smiled and nodded. "You're right. Every species that I've ever learned of has had something that made it special. Your abilities are very impressive though."

"I must always return to my human form between morphs," Cassie answered. She hesitated before adding, "There have been cases that we've learned of in which it was possible to go from one morph to another, but that was out of control morphing. Not at all normal or desired."

Cassie looked at Celena solemnly. "I would never use your form in a way that you disapproved of, Celena. It is a gift and I would not abuse that kindness." The sincerity in her voice was clear as she spoke. "Tell me the rules and I will follow them. But... if it makes you uncomfortable, then I certainly understand. This is so much to ask and I'd rather that you not do it if it would make you uncomfortable." She smiled. "Really? That's interesting and helpful as it would help avoid any initial confusion. Is it possible to read another's personality from the pattern?"

Edited 2011-08-31 04:57 (UTC)

Celena smiled at that, "That is true indeed, everything has something that makes it unique but thank you,"

"That is understandable, not a process one would wish such a process to go out of control in any respect I would imagine," She commented as she watched her with interest.

Celena watched Cassie with calm regard, her sincerity clear in her reply, that she was concerned about her comfort in the matter spoke greatly for her, "I will not bring you down with rule after rule, only two, do not abuse my form and do not use it to bring harm whether physical or otherwise to innocents," she replied after a moment of consideration and a soft smile down to her, "indeed, though others who do not know me so well may still confuse you as me. It is technically possible, yes, though only one with great experience among my kind would truly be able to accurately identify such things,"

"Of course, Celena," Cassie responded sincerely. "I wouldn't do either. I promise."

She took a deep breath, still uneasy about this situation, but Celena did seem willing. And having a dragon morph could be helpful. This... was okay, wasn't it? Cassie shook her head slowly, worry in her eyes. She knew well that, for many moral questions, there were very few simple answers, such as this issue over morphing other sentient beings. It was an issue that had come up many times in the past, but still Cassie found herself at a loss to what the "right" answer was. If she had permission...

Cassie turned it over in her mind for a few more minutes, biting her lip, but finally made her decision.

"If you ever have any issue with how I am using your form, Celena, then please come tell me." Cassie took a step closer and lifted her hand, but didn't extend it yet. "May I?"

Edited 2011-09-05 00:20 (UTC)

Celena smiled softly at that as she dipped her head, "I don't doubt it, thank you,"

She watched her thoughtfully with a calm smile, giving her all the time she needed to think over the matter. Indeed she would suppose it was no simple decision on Cassie's side from the worry in her eyes. To take on the form of another was no small decision after all.

Celena didn't step back even a fraction as Cassie finally stepped closer, decision made, "I will keep that in mind, do not worry," She replied calmly and reassuringly before dipping her head, "You may,"

(OOC: If you'd like, I could whip up an icon for you to use, with the different markings Cassie will have in Celena's form, any preference as to how you'd like them to look if so?)

"Thank you," Cassie smiled, laying her hand gently on Celena and closing her eyes as she focused the whole of her attention on her friend as she acquired the dragon's DNA. When she was finished, she opened her eyes again and removed her hand. "I'm done, Celena. Thank you so much. This is very generous of you."

She tilted her head and smiled again. "Do you mind if I test it now? I'd love to learn from you more, if you'd be willing to teach me. Maybe I could even try flying in your form." There was some excitement in her voice now at the thought of flying. Flight was something that Cassie had always loved and the idea of being able to experience flight the way that Celena did was enough to chase away some of the doubts that had been hounding for the time being.

(OOC: I'd love it if you'd be willing, but don't worry about if it's too much trouble. I can do without if needed. I don't have any preference on the spots. Whatever is easiest. Thank you!)

Edited 2011-09-05 02:10 (UTC)

Celena smiled in return with a dip of her head, falling into a small trance as the process was underway, returning to her senses as Cassie's hand was removed. "You are welcome, Cassie. I hope that it will prove useful to you,"

She smiled with a nod at that, "I don't mind if you do, if you are willing to learn then I would be happy to teach you. Especially flight, I will admit, it is one of my joys, though perhaps starting off simple in regards to flight would be best," She replied with a soft chuckle and a wider smile. Indeed, she flew whenever she had the chance to, and not always so simple flights, ones that would make a roller coaster seem tame.

(OOC: I'd be happy to then! Shall get to that when I get home, shall think on that in the mean time. Welcome)

"I'm sure that it will," Cassie smiled.

"I'd love to learn," she nodded eagerly, her voice edged with excitement and tinged with nervousness. She'd been told what to expect with the morph, but doing a new one was always a bit nerve wracking. It was hard to know exactly what would come with each new morph.

Again, she scanned the area quickly before proceeding with the morph.

She focused on Celena's form, picturing it in her mind. The changes began immediately, spreading from head to toe. Moments later, a second tall dragon stood there, looking identical to Celena except for the markings that covered her in a different fashion then they did her friend, just as Celena had told her. The instincts were indeed of no issue and the senses that she had in this form were excellent.

She stretched her wings wide and lifted her head up high. < Oh, wow! > Then Cassie dipped her head towards Celena. < May we begin the first lesson? I'm looking forward to it. >

(OOC: It's beautiful! Thank you! I've credited it to your Livejournal account for now, but if you'd prefer that it be credited in a different way then please let me know. And thank you again! I love it!)

Edited 2011-09-06 15:56 (UTC)

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