Spelunk (Open)
Jun 7, 2013 17:42:18 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2013 17:42:18 GMT -7
Deep in the caves beneath the volcano, something moved. The cavernous ceiling was shadowed in darkness, the only light a rippling deep orange glow. Shadows flickered and died in the pockets and bubbles covering the walls of this cave. If anyone else were watching, they could see that the cave was a glossy black, naturally formed by volcanic activity. But they would not pay attention to that. What would captivate their interest would be the gigantic pool of lava flowing in the center of the room. Well, pool would be a bit misleading, as it was actually a hole that allowed one to see the river of lava below. The surface writhed, bubbled, and slid about like a living thing. With a sigh and a groan, a lump formed in the middle. It quickly resolved into a head, a spiked, thorny looking head on a sinuous neck. A foot emerged, latching onto the edge of the hole and hoisting the body out.
A dragon slid out of the lava, scales practically glowing with heat. Humming deep in his chest in pleasure, he shook himself, splattering bits of lava that clung to him. Taking particular care to clean the lava from his wings, he completed his toiletries. With a thunderous yawn, he shook his head ponderously, then slid out of the room through a large hole in the wall. Another natural cave was nested here, and here he made a quick inspection of his various treasures and collectibles. A few choice stones, a large number of unusual lava rock formations, and some rather ornate stone chests rested against the walls.
A number of minutes later, a human stood in the place of the dragon and walked to the chests. There he took out his clothes, clothes he of course could not wear as a dragon. Pulling on his heavy boots, he looked around, then grabbed his fire opal pendant and secured it around his neck, feeling the warm, reassuring weight against his bare chest under his shirt. Then he left.
Although he preferred to roam the world in his human form, Jace of course needed some revitalization every once in a while. So every so often he would slip back to his caves. He had discovered them a while ago, only a few decades ago really, and since claimed them. His 'inner sanctum' was deep in the ground, and hot enough to keep any humans out. the only way to access it was through a winding maze of tunnels and pockets, the crucial ones being too small for a dragon, but fine for a human. It worked well - kept out dragons and humans both since dragons could not fit and humans could not stand the heat.
After a half hour or so, the stocky young man came out into a larger tunnel close to the surface. He stretched his arms above his head, then scratched his hair, taking a momentary break from the strenuous climb. Well, strenuous for a human. Of course as a dragon he had no problem. Hair - what an odd thing. So odd feeling and useless. At least it made humans easier to tell apart. He found a dried piece of lava in his hair and flicked it aside. It wouldn't do to appear messy when he got back out into the world.
A dragon slid out of the lava, scales practically glowing with heat. Humming deep in his chest in pleasure, he shook himself, splattering bits of lava that clung to him. Taking particular care to clean the lava from his wings, he completed his toiletries. With a thunderous yawn, he shook his head ponderously, then slid out of the room through a large hole in the wall. Another natural cave was nested here, and here he made a quick inspection of his various treasures and collectibles. A few choice stones, a large number of unusual lava rock formations, and some rather ornate stone chests rested against the walls.
A number of minutes later, a human stood in the place of the dragon and walked to the chests. There he took out his clothes, clothes he of course could not wear as a dragon. Pulling on his heavy boots, he looked around, then grabbed his fire opal pendant and secured it around his neck, feeling the warm, reassuring weight against his bare chest under his shirt. Then he left.
Although he preferred to roam the world in his human form, Jace of course needed some revitalization every once in a while. So every so often he would slip back to his caves. He had discovered them a while ago, only a few decades ago really, and since claimed them. His 'inner sanctum' was deep in the ground, and hot enough to keep any humans out. the only way to access it was through a winding maze of tunnels and pockets, the crucial ones being too small for a dragon, but fine for a human. It worked well - kept out dragons and humans both since dragons could not fit and humans could not stand the heat.
After a half hour or so, the stocky young man came out into a larger tunnel close to the surface. He stretched his arms above his head, then scratched his hair, taking a momentary break from the strenuous climb. Well, strenuous for a human. Of course as a dragon he had no problem. Hair - what an odd thing. So odd feeling and useless. At least it made humans easier to tell apart. He found a dried piece of lava in his hair and flicked it aside. It wouldn't do to appear messy when he got back out into the world.
