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curiousredsoul ([personal profile] curiousredsoul) wrote in [community profile] trans_92011-08-10 06:11 pm

Of malfunctioning portals, parks and dragons [Open]

Taking some time from other projects, Celena had once more brought down her Paired Gate device down to the park in an attempt to work on a number of issues of the operation of the device while in the Bleed. After all if a stable gate could be established, even for short periods of time, it could make for quick travel about the city and about the ship in general.

Thus in her usual draconic form she had set herself before the primary end of the gate device in the middle of a large clearing in the park, with the secondary portion of the device not a hundred feet away. After some time in pondering the problem she had decided to take a break from her work. Locking the device down she stretched herself out and padded away to wander the park for a short while before taking off to stretch her wings. Keeping her general flight path around the vicinity of the park itself.

[OOC: Feel free to run into her at any point, whether while she's working on the device, wandering the park or even flying around overhead!]

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-21 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
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. :) )

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-22 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
< 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!"

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-25 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"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.)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-28 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-30 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
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. :) )

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-30 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-08-31 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
"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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
"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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-09-06 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"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)

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-09-07 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie lifted her head again and watched Celena happily, her whole posture indicating her eagerness. < You're the expert. What would be best for a new dragon to learn first? I'd be happy with anything. >

She could indeed feel something strange running through her, but she didn't know what it could be. But, she did remember what Celena had said about how she could use her energies to do all sorts of things. Could... this feeling be those energies? It wasn't something that she normally felt while in morph, so it had to be something specifically related to the form that she now wore.

Cassie tilted her head. < I've been feeling something odd since I morphed. I'm sure that it's not from the morphing itself though because I'd have felt it before if that was so. What would the energies that you mentioned feel like? >

[identity profile] caringcassie.livejournal.com 2011-09-07 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
So, this feeling- the odd warmth- this was the energy that Celena had spoken of then? Apparently. It felt strange to her, but not unpleasantly so.

< It does feel like that, although I don't think that I have any control of it, but you said that came with practice. > she responded. A morph came with instincts only after all. She may have had Celena's natural abilities, but she had no idea how to use them.

< Which would you prefer to do? > Cassie asked curiously. After all, Celena was generously giving up her time to help Cassie learn this. It seemed only fair to let her friend guide the lesson as she wished.