Familiar but Different (Open)

[Deleted]

There was two things that made Sisu feel alive. The first, was running on raindrops. The calm serenity of gentle rain always brought peace to her mind, coupled with the fresh air. The second, and her favorite, was swimming. Using her tail, she would be able soar through the underwater world at incredible speeds. Speeds that she wouldn't be able to achieve by walking or rain running. After all, she was a strong swimmer. It was natural for her to enjoy doing what she loved to do in life. And right now, she was doing just that.

Sisudatu, or Sisu, twirled around as she passed some fish before going through some grass. With a flick of her tail, she would change directions as she'd turn herself upside down before going under a rock formation before going back over it. She was like a sea serpent, slithering through the water. But she was more elegant, making her moves more like a graceful dance. If only anyone was around to see her, although she did enjoy the serenity of being alone in a beautiful environment. Moving her body, the water dragon ascended toward the surface to jump out and perform a flip in the air...

Though there was something...different she noticed when she did. The environment was different, that was one. Was that a mountain? The water dragon forgot her maneuver and flopped into the water. On her back.

"Ow!" Sisu winced before she'd submerge a bit to reorient herself, "Not the best landing..." 

She'd rub her back a bit before she'd get a better look at where she was, "Yup, that's a mountain alright. Am I near Spine? Don't think I swam THAT far..." She'd glance, her eyes landing on some stone ruins that stood out in another nearby river, "Okay...don't think there were any ruins like that by Spine. Unless they remodeled. I mean," She'd glance to the other buildings that looked a bit more recent, "they did seem to upgrade their huts. But there isn't snow, so...."

And then there were the People. What were they wearing? Two piece clothing, crazy looking hats that looked like animals? Was that girl holding a box? And why was she holding it in her direction and why was it flashing?

"Huh. Must be on the other side of the continent?" Sisu then smiled and shrugged, "Well, you know what they say. When your lost, just ask directions!"

She'd find a good place to get out of the water. It looked like some stone steps that led to ground level, maybe a dock. It sure looked like it. Once she got to land, she could get a closer look at the People. She'd approach a random family, giving a friendly smile as she did, "Hey! I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a question-"

"Hey mom, it's Sisu!"

Sisu couldn't help but smile even more at the little girl's exclamation, "Oh, so you know me! That's good! Cause I am a little bit lost and-"

The girl was quick to hand her a book and some writing object. The dragon was confused. What, did they want her to write something? Flicking through the pages, she'd see many different signatures. Mickey Mouse, Pinnocio, Stitch? So, they were names. Did she want her to write her own name down? Well, okay. Sisu stuck her tongue out as she'd get down to writing it, although she wasn't the best in writing in People language. Still, she did her best. And once she was done, she'd hand it back to the girl who smiled and held it close. "There you go. Hope your happy," Sisu smiled as the parents thanked her and escorted their child off.

And Sisu soon remembered, "Oh right, I still need to ask where I am. Uhhhh..." She'd glance around.

[Moana]

The spot of shore and ocean that Moana was walking towards was not Tokyo Sea specifically, or not the usual spot she took her canoe out to, but it was open waves and so it did for her. Plus she viewed the lack of her canoe (left tied up in its usual spot in Tokyo Sea) as a sort of adventure in and of itself! "I am curious to see how these canoes I hear the Parks have work", she commented, glancing down to Pua and HeiHei as they walked over towards the shore and to see if they could find a rental place.

Her still Honorary "Uncle" Jumba had gone on and on about how Nani worked at one and about how the rental process worked, stressing to be sure to not break the canoes...Moana didn't intend to but was sure the warning came from some mishap of the alien's own making.

At any rate, she was distracted from this mission as upon reaching the beach she spotted a very surprising sort of being! Vague legends of other water spirits, told by Grandma Tala, came back to Moana, but she couldn't recall specifics.

Moana wasn't even sure if this being fit that description and yet...spirit or spiritual type of being was seemingly obvious somehow. A goddess she knew had been an island. Something like this wouldn't really be a stretch.

She slowly approached as a set of parents and child left the being. "Um...Hello", she greeted and waved. She hadn't caught the being mutter to herself but somehow the fact that she talked was taken for granted as fact by something in her appearance and Moaan's assumptions. Moana really wanted to ask her what she was, see if it lined up with tales, but figured she'd be polite and greet her first then come around to it maybe.

Pua titled his head and...didn't run from the larger animal, but did scoot a bit closer to Moana's leg. HeiHei, per usual, just pecked the ground.

[Deleted]

Sisu didn't notice the girl for a second after she looked around. It was only until she approached and was standing in front of her that the water dragon would realize she was there. "Hey!" Sisu smiled, "How's it going? I have a bit of a question, and I was hoping someone would answer it for me. You see, I was swimming around, doing what I'm good at. Because, you know, I'm an excellent swimmer. And I might of gotten lost." Her smile faded a bit, "I mean, there is a mountain and I don't remember there being a mountain. And that adorable little girl gave me a book to write in, for some reason..."

She then would notice the pig and the chicken, one being by the girl and the other pecking the ground despite it's hard surface. Sisu beamed, "Speaking of adorable, aren't they cute! Look at that little guy, with the floppy ears and the cute snout. And I adore that bird's eyes. I mean, they are in the opposite direction, but it's still...it's still cute. They are cute animals."

[Moana]

Well the being was friendly, not that Moana had expected any different. She smiled and nodded along, trying to follow the story that went with the question. A swimmer! Was she some sort of water-spirit then? Moana was sadly able to follow what had probably happened.

Another one.

Her awed smile faded a bit as well, and she gathered up the words she was becoming familiar with saying as well, same as Elsa at times and others even. Yet, speaking of the little girl, she suddenly rushed back. "Moana! You're the last princess I don't have, can you please sign my book!". Moana had learned to let the princess thing go, especially with little girls with autograph books; they never understood her distinction, or would just giggle like she'd said what they expected, and would just ask again.

So, for this girl, she quickly signed, even in her distracted state recalling to give her a smile.

She then glanced back to the water-spirit to find her smiling at Pua and HeiHei. She smiled again, for a different reason. "Thank-you. Not many see HeiHei's potential and just think him...a bit spacy, but he can be very smart when he wants to". See Maui I did not mention he saved the world again. It was a point of teasing between them how much credit she gave her chicken for their mission's success.

Pua slowly walked closer, his little nose wiggling as he sniffed her, but still seemed cautious.

Moana sighed, and got back to the matter of her being stuck here. "But, as for your question, if I may guess, you want to know where you are and how you got here? I'm afraid you've been magically transported to a place called Walt Disney World. I was myself four years ago", that was never very comforting to new-comers, she knew, but it was true, in her case, "But I've known people to be here a lot shorter of a time...or longer...we never know, just that we're all whisked from our homes and lands by some unknown force and brought...here. But here is extensive and has many sections of parks with many cultures represented". Not ones she had known about before, but varying.

She was maybe overloading. "I'm Moana by the way, and that's Pua and HeiHei. We're from Motunui. It's an island". She was both getting back to introductions and giving a slight example in her own experience.

[Deleted]

Sisudatu gave a moment as the little girl from before returned to ask the other girl for a signature. She was just too cute, even though Sisu didn't know what the big deal was with signing books. Must be a trend in this part of the country. Still adorable though. The girl then mentioned how others found the bird a bit spacey, yet the bird was capable of intelligence when in the right moment. Sisu chuckled, "Well aren't you a bundle of surprises." She'd say to the chicken. When the pig approaches, the dragon gave a warm welcome smile that said 'don't worry, I am harmless'.

Sisu would nod when the girl correctly guessed what she wanted to ask. Good, she can get some answers! But the more the girl explained, the more Sisu felt...confused. That was probably the best word for it as her brain was processing all the new revelations that came up. Magically transported? The girl was stuck four years and yet there were more who were here longer? Also her name was Moana, with the little animals being Pua and HeiHei. But she was someplace else?

"Okaaay," Sisu's warm smile had long faded by now, giving away to uncertainty, "But uh, you wouldn't happen to know about Kumandra? Has a dragon shaped river that is occupied by five tribes?"

Please say yes, please say yes...

[Accipiter]

Accipiter had never been to this section of Animal Kingdom before. A true Gryphon, to him the mountain was comforting and welcoming (all the more so since a check check showed that the snowy peaks were, in fact, fake— a comforting reassurance for any Narnian born during the Eternal Winter).

Of course, the people in caravans clicking along a fast pace between two peaks: Accipiter could not relax until he had investigated this. Not until he was confident that screams were ones of excitement, not terror (a fact proven by the fact that so many had tried to pat his paws and belly, exclaiming how happy they were that the ride now had a Gryphon to replace the Disco Yeti.

Accipiter perched ahead of the caravan of mining carts, talons grasped on one side of the twisted rails, paws balanced catlike on the other side of twisted rails. Warily the Gryphon peered down the darkened tunnel, watching as the still cheering caravan slide backwards. Though he sat still with pricked ears, he could hear no screams of fear— and while he could hear roars, they sounded so…phony. If the Disco Yeti, whatever a “disco” or “yeti” was, lurked in that grotto, it dd so without footfall or breathing.

If only he could follow! Not only was warily of how narrow the paths might be, his eyes were designed for day vision only: the number of rods was so low, and unlike a true Felidae, only one, rather slim, layer of tapetum luteum gleamed at the back of his retinas.

After a few worried moments, during which his ears could still only catch the same false roar and excited screams, the Gryphon took the air, trying to track with sound alone. Not until the caravan reappeared did he relax— at least, until it ducked once again in tunnel. Before Accipiter could met the team on the other side, his swiveling ears caught the cheers of “Disco Yeti!

The caravan appeared and chugged down to stop. Accipiter waited on the caravan, circling and watching the caravan as the people left the carts. Though he checked each passenger, he could detect no injury or harm. Puzzled, Accipiter banked and returned to his perch.

Clearly, this ride, Disco Yeti and all, were just means of amusement. Not unlike the Talking Otters, who even in the depths of winter allowed themselves the luxury of sliding down the snowbanks (after reassuring themself that the nearby Trees were on the side of Aslan, of courses).

Accipiter sighed and fluffed his feathers, relaxing enough to survey his environment. The motion of a girl, dressed so different from the others, caught his eye: she approached and seemed to a strange blue something.

At the sight of that blue creature, Accipiter’s hackles bristled from nape to ilium. While he couldn’t determine if it was a purebred unfamiliar to him, or a hybrid with a sea serpent, the Gryphon could tell it was still a dragon.

And a dragon’s favorite flesh, besides of course other dragons, was humans!

Oh, there had been a few dragons who had sided with Aslan and been turned to stone as a result— Fafnir was one, but most either sided with the Witch, like Fafnir’s twin Frænir, or lived as dangerous beasts. Not one, even clever and friendly Fafnir, had been chosen to be a Talking Beast. (There was some among the Narnians who theorized that dragons were all Men or Dwarves transformed as punishment. Accipiter wasn’t sure how much he agreed with this theory).

No, dragons were simply too dangerous, especially one so focused on the people. Accipiter had chased off dragons before, but it too was a risky task.

With that the Gryphon [i[cast off[/i] spring into the air, and climbed, flying higher and higher into the sky. Once he had put a mere 100 feet between him and the dragon, he tucked his wings like a Peregrine and plunged down in a swoop.

Mobbing, it was called, circling, diving on and bluff-attacking on a much larger target. A natural behavior to the Passerines, the Gryphons had long ago adapted this technique to succesively drive away dragons. Unlike a raptor, a dragon could not be driven away without some contacting, requiring either raking, striking the target without grabbing on, or ruffing, raking the target hard enough to le feathers (or fur, in this case) fly. Like the raptors, even one mobber was too fast to catch, too irritating and harassing to ignore.

Accipiter screeched as he plunged closer and closer to the dragon, his bristling hackles contrasted with his fear-slicked feathers and pining pupils.

OOC: Accipiter was in FloTheJungleDal’s role-play “Animals In All Forms (Open)” along with Moana, Pua, and HeiHei, but he joined so late I’m not sure if Moana had left yet. ^^”

[Moana]

Pua slowly peeked his head out, then ducked back behind Moana's leg, before peeking out again and walking a bit closer to her, his little nose wiggling as he sniffed at her again.

Moana felt bad as the smile on the being's face faded. It didn't get easier, having to share the news of being trapped.

For her own part, she wasn't surprised she hadn't heard of Kumandra, and sadly shook her head. "I'm afraid not, though...what's a dragon?". She was well aware she could be talking to one, since, again, the newcomer seemed like she could be some sort of spirit, and familiar from her own tribal legends, just not easily identified with a name; or not one Moana could recall.

With the senses smaller prey animals just seemed to have, Pua glanced up and over as a shadow fell across them, his attention seeming to be drawn by either that or the screech, and Moana glanced up as well, but a moment or two later. Pua was already rushing toward some nearby bushes, sure the creature was after him, before recalling that he was leaving Moana (and HeiHei) to it as well!

He could only do so much, and trusted Moana to scoop HeiHei up if they did have to run, but rushed back over to nudge at her leg with his hoof and even push with his head, trying to nudge her to hide also. Moana did back up, unsure what the diving form meant to do.

<<ooc: Since we didn't get there yet, I don't know either. >>

[Deleted]

"I'm afraid not, though...what's a dragon?"

Sisu's arched a brow, "What's a dragon?" She chuckled shaking her head, "I'm a dragon. You know, long body, claws, a long flowing mane? Oh, that's a good one..." She shook her head as she continued to laugh...before she realized the girl wasn't laughing, "...you're not joking, aren't you?" Sisu's expression turned to worry, "Oh this is bad... if you don't know what a dragon is then..."

The dragon would get onto her hind legs and start to pace, "...but that can't be? Can it? I mean, there is no way I can be in another land, let alone another WORLD. But...what if it's true? Does my family know I am here?" She'd then turn around to face Moana, "Does anyone's family know they are here?"

She soon noticed the girl backing up as the pig was nudging her leg. Sisu would turn to where the human was looking...and saw some feathered form swooping down from the skies above, "Oh, it's just a bird." And the shape was getting larger...and larger. "A...large bird, roughly my size. With sharp talons. And...is that a tail? Is it even a bird? Ya.....I have no idea what that is." She shook her head.

"Maybe it's friendly?" Sisu thought outload with a slight smile.

[Accipiter]

Mar 22, 2021 10:46:49 GMT -5 Moana said:

<<ooc: Since we didn't get there yet, I don't know either. >>

OOC: Heheh, I guess we can wing it! (Pun intended! )

BIC: 

Mar 23, 2021 19:26:17 GMT -5 @sisudatu said:

"Maybe it's friendly?" Sisu thought outloud with a slight smile.

The dragon spoke!

Rattled to his core and nearing his target, Accipiter pulled up in an awkward cobra maneuver, just managed to clear the blue brute’s head without raking or ruffing her. Banking hard, Accipiter whirled to face the strange dragon, wings churning furiously to wait on. The Gryphon was no kestrel or hummingbird, to effortlessly hover; still, he managed to remain reasonably still, twisting his head this way and that as he examined this bizarre creature. Was this a trick?

Deciding he could take no chances, Accipirt screeched again, still uncertain if she understood him or was merely parroting. “Away, Dracena, away!” he finally said, using the proper term for the she-dragon.

“Abandon your quarry, Dracena: leave this Daughter of Eve be! If you truly can speak and sing, you must know it is forbidden to kill and devour a Talking Creature. If you continue your hunt, then like a Dumb Beast I shall treat you!” Oh, how he wished his cast was with him!

The Gryphon, reluctant to take his eyes from this deadly foe, called out, “Flee, your majesty, flee!"


[/quote]

[Moana]

Just because Moana hadn't known the answer to what a Dragon was, and had had to ask in the first place, didn't mean she wasn't extremely fascinated to learn the answer. She smiled in awe, almost like a child discovering something for the first time as this dragon explained herself.

The smile fell as the dragon seemed concerned at her not knowing. Moana slowly shook her head. "No...but, it sounds a bit like some stories I've heard", she said, lowly, almost to herself and perhaps it went by the dragon, as she was now panicking and muttering to herself about being in a different world.

Oh no, not again.

Somehow Moana still kept hoping it wouldn't happen when it had happened untold amount of times by now, both the coming and the going back.

Moana grimaced, not at the dragon, but at what she had to say, as she answered the last bit first, about everyone's families, "We're...not sure. It's best to hope they don't, but even those who have left and come back usually don't recall even being here".

Some did, but even they couldn't answer to everyone's reactions, though the lack of a panic spoke to the theory of time freezing or what ever.

It was all a bit much for Moana, though Uncle Jumba was very fascinated and working towards understanding it all as well as finding a solution.

With no luck yet of course.

Moana was brought out of her thoughts by the 'bird's' dive. "I...think maybe we should...". She was just turning to find her oar (and recalling she had left it behind and didn't have one now because she was going to rent plastic canoes...brilliant) and prepare to defend herself when the 'bird' pulled out at the last moment.

Moana got the feeling he knew what a dragon was supposed to be, by his words, though most of them made no sense.

She didn't know what the Daughter of Eve comment meant, but it was clear he meant her as the one who should flee. Your Majesty she just took as another misunderstanding on the Princess issue, and she could deal with that later.

For the moment, and since this creature seemed to only be attacking in defense, she stepped between him and the dragon, lifting her hands and trying to explain. "No, it...it's alright, she's not attacking, we're talking", she said.

"Please, she's...newly here I think". She hoped he would know what she meant. A New Special Guest. She regretted having to allude to it again before she could properly explain to the dragon, but maybe once things were calmer she could try again to explain.

[Deleted]

Sisu couldn't help but watch in awe as the bird...really wasn't a bird at all! Sure, it had the beak and talons, but it had some feline traits as well. Mainly the body of one, all up to the front legs and the head that mixed avian and feline traits together. Of course, Kumandra had interesting creatures as well. What would it be? Maybe a bird-cat? Cat-bird? Sisu was thinking a bit when it landed....and was surprised when it suddenly spoke! Called her a... Dracena? And....wait, did it just call her dumb?

"What? No. No no no no no," She shook her head, "No. Why would I eat anyone? I mean, sure I do eat like everyone else. And I prefer my food cooked, and well...not living."


She would then realize that might come up wrong, "Also I prefer food that is eaten by everyone else. You know, soups, salads. Maybe a bit of seafood. Shrimp, I know someone who makes great dishes with shrimp. But me, eating People? Nope. Why would anyone do that?"

She then took a deep breath, "Also, if your calling me a 'Dumb Beast'... I am a dragon. And I'm not dumb. Much like how you're a cat-bird...thing, and are not dumb as well. Just saying. It's not nice to call others names."

Thankfully, Moana did back her up. Saying that they were just talking, and that Sisu was new here. The dragoness would smile and nod. "Exactly! Moana and I were just talking...before I started to panic for a bit because, you know, I'm lost. Very lost."