An Exploration Into The Canyon~Mia/Open

[Jordyn]

DOMINIC WOLFF


He’d been away from Sylian for far too long. He’d left Devyn to her own devices for too long. Now he was back again, but he wasn’t quite ready to show himself to Devyn just yet, sure they talked but that didn’t mean she had forgiven him his discrepancies. He sighed softly and then felt the warmth of the sun on his lightly bronzed skin and took a deep breath of the sweet air. There was Thread in the sky, but it was being held at bay as far as he could tell, this was a good thing and Dom smiled as he stepped into the canyon that had been his secret hideaway for as long as he could remember.

He wondered if his dugout in the canyon wall was still there. Laughing to himself, he started scanning both walls looking for it, because frankly, he couldn’t remember whether he’d put it on the left or the right. Half way down, where the creek had started picking up speed, he saw the dugout, up about seven feet on the left wall. Smirking, he searched for his path up, as it was quite well hidden. He spent thirty odd minutes scanning, and when the sun rose over the wall, the shadows gave it away.

Getting back about twenty feet, Dominic got a good run in and then three feet from the wall he leaped upward and snagged an outcropping of the rock with his left hand and then grabbed a second outcropping with his right, and then he hung for a few minutes. Once he had a good grip, he scrambled up the wall, and made his way into the dugout. His first aid supplies were still there, and relatively untouched. He looked at his hands and laughed, a few scrapes here and there but otherwise unharmed. Cleaning and dressing his scrapes Dom laid on his stomach and watched the sun start to sink down again.

His dugout was warm and he watched as the creatures started to enter the canyon. There a fox, there a pair of deer. He sighed and let his eyelids drift half way down over his dark blue eyes as he listened to the sounds of the creatures and it wasn’t long before Dom drifted into a half sleep, his head pillowed on his muscled arms. Nothing and no one was going to sneak up on him despite how deeply he seemed to be sleeping in his dugout in the canyon wall.



Words~416
Speaking
Listening
Thoughts and speaking with his mount eventually

[Skittlez]

Mia walked out, her eyes darting everywhere. She was on her guard, big time, her knife at the ready. This was one of the first times she had ever been out of the house, it was somewhat scary. She didn't want to come, she had gotten used to being prisoner in a basement, besides the world was going to get her...and she didn't want it to now. Her eye twitched as her head quickly turned to her right, only finding a deer. She mumbled something under her breath but it was so low nobody could hear it, well nobody was out here to hear it anyways.

She kept walking, her goal here? Her 'father' had sent her to get some fresh water from the stream in the Canyons. She wasn't to get any rocks or dirt in it either. Plus, possibly bring back a couple of fish from it, the largest she could find. Then she could go home. She knew she had to go to the end of the stream where the water got deeper to find any fish, she was just a bit worried what was at the end.

She was pretty sure he said stream...would he put her in danger if something terrible was at at the end? Maybe he said the lake...erg, how she wished she had listened better. Maybe she wouldn't be in this situation right now. She shook her head, no going back now, she would have to just keep going and get what she needed.She kept going down the stream, slowly but surely, and very cautiously to. She was ready for almost anything...

Weather: Sunny
Time:
Mood: Cautious, a little scared, worried
Word Count: 274

[Jordyn]

Lying in his dug out, half awake, Dominic heard a sound, in the distance, up toward the head of the canyon. His eyelids fluttered up off his deep blue pools, he half army crawled up to the head of the dugout and looked toward where the sound had come from. In his line of sight was a beautiful woman, with mid-length wavy chocolate hair. He stepped out onto the ledge to get a better look at her. He watched as she approached the wall below his dugout. He tilted his head and gauged her body language. She looked frightened and unsure of her present situation.

He put a hand on the wall beside his dugout and called down to her, “You know, it’s probably not a wise thing to be walking about the canyon alone without someone who knows all its tricks and not. Please don’t run…or attack me, I just want to help keep you safe…” he paused and then gracefully left the ledge by his dugout and landed just a little ahead of the woman as he spoke again, putting his hands up in a non-threatening, way as he spoke again. “…I’m Dominic Wolff by the way.” He said and dropped his hands to his sides as he waited to see her reactions.



Words~215

[Skittlez]

She backed up a bit as she heard the voice, looking around for the source. Then she spotted him, the male at the top of the ledge in a dugout. She squinted her eyes to see better, the sunlight was hitting her face. He told her she should be careful and stuff, she was being careful! Also saying she shouldn't be out here alone, without a wise person is what he sounded like he was saying. She watched him jump down and put his hands up innocently. She raised an eyebrow, then blinked. Who was this guy? Yeah, she had heard the name, but seriously! He had just come and said that to her! She slung the hair in her face back with her right hand and then gave him a disguested look before it turned serious and emotionless.

"Hi." She said, a little rudely without meaning to, although it was also so quiet. "I'm....Mia...." She said, int-between hesitations. "And....why would you care about my safety?" She asked, squinting her eyes as if trying to see through him.

Nobody had cared about her, not really...her 'father' was terrible to her, never acting like a father. He just wanted her to get the purple dragon and say "yeah that's my daughter!" and be all proud for nothing he did but kidnap an innocent girl. What, was this boy joking? Nobody WOULD ever care for her. She was just a small girl in the big world, who had no rightful place to fit in or no purpose in this world. She was forgotten int he midst of everything, of everyone only thinking about their-selves. She tightened her grip on her knife. Nobody thought of her...they only thought about their-selves....the selfish jerks....they wouldn't care if she died and was erased from the world....Anthony would just find another girl, and that would be the end of it. She shook her head, no, she had to care for herself, and only herself...just like everyone else cared about only themselves. The thought of helping others....that never came into somebodys mind now-a-days....So she wouldn't even think twice when it came into her head....this idiot boy....did he think he could fool her?

Weather: Sunny, nice
Time:
Mood: Cautious, careful, angry, hatred
Word Count: 381

[Jordyn]

Dominic chuckled a little as he watched the woman raise an eyebrow momentarily at his abrupt appearance then he saw that she wasn’t too happy with him. He shrugged it off as the woman spoke, introducing herself as Mia. Then asked him why he would care about her safety. With a slightly exasperated sigh he answered her, “Because Mia…I’ve watched too many people, cautious and careful like you get killed because of walking into a place they didn’t know. I would hate to see such a pretty lady lose her life to some evil in this canyon, I’ve lived in the canyon for almost my entire twenty-three years.”

Dominic told her and then he tilted his head at Mia and he took in her appearance…he wondered what she might be doing here and so he asked, “If you don’t mind my asking Mia, what are you doing in the canyon…so…lightly armed?” He asked as he kept his deep blue eyes on her as he waited for her to answer him. He adjusted his bow so he would have an easier time getting a hold of it…if he would need to use it to keep harm from striking down this pretty young woman, when he could have done so much to keep her safe…whether she wanted help and protection or not.



Words~220

[Skittlez]

A short, low, intimidating growl escaped her mouth as she narrowed her eyes on him, as if trying to scare him. This usually didn't work for people thought she was way to 'pretty' and 'innocent' to hurt somebody, thinking she wasn't scary at all. But hey, she could at least try, it's worked somewhat. She closed her eyes....yeah, on people younger then her, like five year old kids. She breathed deeply, she could get through this. Opening her eyes she saw him adjust his bow and quickly jumped back, going in defense mode. She had her knife in front of her, the arm holding the knife shielding her face. She had her feet planted on the ground, she was ready for anything.

If he shot, she'd just have to block it with her knife. What was the luck of that though? No problem, she relaxed, she was pretty good handling a knife. His words finally came into her mind again, she had ignored it the first time. She glared at him. "I'm not helpless if thats what you're saying..." She said rather meanly. "I can take care of myself perfectly fine.....I won't get killed...." She turned her gaze to the bow and arrow and then looked at him. "Your gonna attack?" She asked, holding her knife in front of her.

Weather: Nice
Time:
Mood: Defensive, ready for anything, attitude
Word Count: 222

[Jordyn]

Dom half smirked as he watched her go on the defensive against him, he just shrugged it off a little as he stretched and half shook his head, a knife was going to be no good against him, or anything they might run across in the canyon, cracking his neck and shoulders he heard Mia’s words as they slipped from her mouth into the air, I'm not helpless if that’s what you're saying...I can take care of myself perfectly fine...I won't get killed... Dominic chuckled a little as he watched her gaze slip to his bow and arrows, and caught the last of her sentences.

You’re gonna attack? Dom sighed and caught Mia’s eyes with his deep blues as he answered her then, “That is so very far from what I am saying Mia, I can tell you’re not helpless and I’m sure you can take perfect care of yourself, however, I do not believe you won’t get killed, the horrors I’ve seen in this canyon, I’m just offering up my services as an armed guard. As to attacking, there’s no chance in h**l that I will attack you, but if something, some creature attacks us as the darkness falls, you’ll see how good of a shot and an attacker I am. Shall we continue forward Mia?” He said and fell silent stepping away from his spot and stepping past her up the canyon. He glanced over his shoulder and then crossed his arms over his chest and waited, alert to their surroundings.



Words~253

[Skittlez]

She looked at him nervously and suspiciously. She didn't know if she should trust him, she never trusted anyone. She learned not to trust anyone, it was a thing. Anthony had told her she shouldn't trust anybody, and she didn't. She eyed him.

"That is so very far from what I am saying Mia, I can tell you’re not helpless and I’m sure you can take perfect care of yourself, however, I do not believe you won’t get killed, the horrors I’ve seen in this canyon, I’m just offering up my services as an armed guard. As to attacking, there’s no chance in h**l that I will attack you, but if something, some creature attacks us as the darkness falls, you’ll see how good of a shot and an attacker I am. Shall we continue forward Mia?" He said.

"No, I'm not helpless." She said, straightening up but keeping a close eye on him knife in hand. "Why help me? Me of all people" She said, narrowing her eyes. "Why woulds you offer help to me? Nobody cares about me, you probably don't either!" She said. "You're lying! You're not trying to protect me!" She said angrily, she hated liars. "Who would protect a stupid girl who has no use in the world?!" She asked, looking at him with anger and hatred. "It doesn't make sense!"

Weather: Nice
Time:Afternoon
Mood: Angry, upset, confused, suspicious
Word Count: 226

[Jordyn]

Dom watched her as she eyed him, nervously and suspiciously and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes and shake her into reality. Then he tilted his head as she spoke, No, I'm not helpless. Why help me? Me of all people? Why would you offer help to me? Nobody cares about me, you probably don't either! You're lying! You're not trying to protect me! Who would protect a stupid girl who has no use in the world?! It doesn't make sense! Just as it seemed he was making progress with her, he lost her again, he let her rant and rave, then he stepped closer and reached out to put his hands on her shoulders.

Not worrying about getting her blade stuck into his frame, “Easy there killer, take a breath, relax. I care about you, as if you were my sister and you’re not a stupid girl with no use in the world, you’re not. I want to protect you, because as a soldier it’s my duty to protect my comrades…no matter what. Do you get this Mia? Relax, let me watch your back at least whilst we’re still in the canyon.” Dominic told her, again resisting the urge to shake her and then hug her like he would Devyn. “I want to help you out a little Mia…soldier’s honor.” Then Dom fell silent, his hands resting on her shoulders as he waited for her to respond and expecting to feel the cold blade on his skin at any moment.



Words~253

[Skittlez]

She looked at him uneasily, he saw her as a sister? She had never heard something like that. What the hell was this? He seemed to be a sodier apparently, so he was protective to. She looked at him when he said she wasn't useless, she had never heard that either. Anthony always told her she was useless unless eh got the purple dragon, this was so weird, so unusual, so new... She backed up when he came closer, but he put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, he was up to something, wasn't he? This was all talk, it was fake!

“I want to help you out a little Mia…soldier’s honor.”

She was frozen in place for a minute, but it was to late when she tried to move for he hugged her. She went wide-eged, What was this? This was...what? She was confused, she had never had one of these before, this was so new to her. She could stab him at anytime now but no, she dropped the knife instead. She wasn't going to stab someone who was nice to her like this. Her anger for the world and people was gone for just a minute, before she thought about the fake again.

"You're sure.?" She asked. Nobody had ever done this to her. She looked down sadly, she kind of liked it, what had she been missing out on all this time? She sighed, going a little mad again, but at Anthony. Ugh...

Weather: Sunny, nice
Time: Afternoon
Mood: Confused, angry at Anthony, sad, curious, interested, hopeful
Word Count: 249

[Jordyn]

Dominic smiled softly as she stood frozen in place and dropped her knife. He tilted his head a little and smiled again as she spoke, You're sure? His smile broadened a little as he answered, stepping back away from her, “Positive Mia. Grab your knife and let’s get what you need to get from the canyon.” He adjusted his bow and quiver again and looked back at Mia, waiting for her to get herself set up to continue with what she had been doing earlier, before Dom had disrupted her. Who would tell this wonderful woman she was useless? Dom just couldn’t fathom it. He smiled and waited.


Words~108

[Skittlez]

Mia bent down slowly, still watching him cautiously, and reached for the knife. She picked it up and got back up, standing up fully she nodded. She would still watch him closely, she still didn't trust him all the way, a simple hug could not make her trust that quick. She turned around and started walking towards the end of the Canyon, going without him. He would surely walk after her, she just kept walking.

"Come on...I-I guess..." She said, raising her voice so he could hear. "I'm not going to wait all day. Father is waiting for me, I can't keep him waiting or he won't be to happy with me." It was true, he wouldn't be happy with her, although he was never happy with her. She sighed, she wished he would just show kindness for one measley day....he acted as if he didn't care.

Her eyes hardened, because he didn't. He didn't care, he never cared, and he never would. She closed her eyes before opening them again. She tightened her grip on her knife until her knuckles turned white. She suddenly looked behind her to see if Dom was still following her, for the first time in her life...she actually didn't want to be alone.

Weather: Nice
Time: Afternoon
Mood: Sad. confused, craves company
Word Count: 208

[Jordyn]

Dom watched her as she collected her knife and was behind her just as she passed him, and he listened as she spoke, Come on...I-I guess...I'm not going to wait all day. Father is waiting for me, I can't keep him waiting or he won't be too happy with me.Dom was just off her shoulder and saw her grip tighten on the knife. His eyes hardened a little, was her father that horrible to her? Dom didn’t like that idea. He was just about at her side when she whirled back to see if he was still there with her. He wanted to put a hand out to reassure her he was.

But instead, he simply spoke, “Don’t worry Mia, I’m right here, and the bow is strung and loaded. How bad is your father really?” He asked, he wanted to know, wanted to help her in whatever way or ways he could, this was just on meager part of his helping side. “Not to mention my Azmoreth is overhead watching out for us too.” In his mind he heard Azmoreth’s voice. D’minicMine, it is still clear and free of harm ahead. You and miss Mia should be okay to move on. I’m going to circle back and drop lower to make sure.

Dom smiled a little and spoke back to Azmoreth, Thank you my sweet Azmoreth. Outloud he said with a half-smile, “Azmoreth says we’re still safe and clear. She’s circling back and making another pass lower in the skies. Maybe once we finish getting you what you need she’ll come and say hi.” He told her then fell silent, keeping pace with Mia now, his Soldier’s eyes ever alert for motion on all sides of them, motion that would indicate danger. He was not going to let anything sneak up on them, neither was Azmoreth.



Words~307
Other~Speaking with his dragon.

[Skittlez]

"You're still here." She grunted. "That's good I guess, if you really insist on following me then come on already, don't be a slow-poke and slow me down. I will willingly go without you." She sighed. Inside she actually really wanted him to stay, she didn't want to show it though. She started walking again, he was beside her walking with her. She flinched when he put a hand on her shoulder, she didn't like people let alone them touching her. Especially boys..why? Because Anthony was a boy, and she remembered the dreaded days when he hit her...the terrible bruuises, scratches, ugh. She closed her eyes and reopened them, no worries, she was almost done.

Mia suddenly looked down,eyes filled with sadness and a little anger when he asked about her dad. "He's a great dad." She lied, although he sounded completely true. "Why would you think he was bad? He's the best Dad anyone could ever have, and I'm glad he's my Dad!" She said smiling a fake smile. "We both love each other and care for each other, we spend a lot of time together, it's all great and nice..." She looked at him. "Awesome Dad huh?" She smiled lightly, If only she truly had this dad though.... The only time she really did smile if she was faking though, nobody seemed to notice the sudden change of how she doesn't smile and how she suddenly does though.

"Azmoreth?" She asked. She hadn't seen the green dragon. "Your dragon?" She looked up at the sky and blinked. A green dragon was soaring up ahead. "You got a green dragon. That's cool." She said. She realized they had finally gotten to the end of the canyon, a big waterfall awaited them. "Aww DAMN IT!" She said kicking a rock, it flew across and traveled away with the waterfall. "I must have gotten it all wrong! There's no way I could catch fish out here, there's probably not even fish at the top of this waterfall! What if he said the lake? Oh man I'm an idiot!" She suddenly saw a huge fish leap in the air and down the waterfall. She blinked...

Weather: Nice
Time: Afternoon
Mood: Angry, surprised, a bit sad
Word Count: 360

[Jordyn]

Dom chuckled a little as she spoke, You're still here. That's good I guess, if you really insist on following me then come on already, don't be a slow-poke and slow me down. I will willingly go without you. He raised an eyebrow as she flinched a little at his touch on her shoulder. Both eyebrows rose up as she spoke about how her dad was awesome and on and on and on, Dom barely shook his head as he spoke, “You’re not giving me every detail, Mia…you can’t pull blinders over the eyes of a Soldier, I was trained to read emotions in the eyes and voice.” He told her as they approached the end of the canyon.

He saw her eyes drift up as Azmoreth glided over them and then he smiled a little as Mia spoke again, Azmoreth? Your dragon? You got a green dragon. That's cool. He smiled and then looked up into the sky, C’mon down Azzy. We’re at the end of the canyon and we’re okay…for now. A soft, low roar rang down from the sky as Azmoreth spiraled down and landed gracefully, wrapped around Dom’s shoulders as he spoke to Mia, “She is cool. And she’s a sweetheart, very caring too.” Dom said softly as he rubbed Azmoreth gently on her forehead as her bright blue eyes fell upon Mia a moment.

Dom smiled at his little Pastel Green dragoness just as Mia spoke again, Aww DAMN IT! I must have gotten it all wrong! There's no way I could catch fish out here, there's probably not even fish at the top of this waterfall! What if he said the lake? Oh man I'm an idiot! Dom looked at her and shook his head a little just as she stared at the fish. “You're not an idiot Mia, they’re here, they just come and go in irregular waves. You got here just in time…where there’s one, there’re more.” Dom told Mia as Azmoreth dropped onto a boulder beside the pool beneath the falls and looked into the pool and then to Mia, nodding her pretty serpentine head before returning to her perch on Dom’s shoulders.



Words~362