The Fire Demon Dances (Complete)

[Ifrit]

Time and date: 09 February,  9pm
Weather: Lightly snowing, dark, less wind
Previous Threads: Ice and Foam,  Seeking the Caliph, Finally, Solid Ground


The man was climbing up the tall stretches of paths leading deep into cave systems and mountainous traverse. From what he had heard tell of, the places were supposed to be relatively empty, seeing as how the denizens were all but gone from the main island for some holiday or another. As he ascended, he came upon a cave that seemed rather shallow and empty, if his search did not lie to him. Outside the mouth of the cave was a small plateau that offered a small and dark but pleasant view of the island. 

He started a small fire as light snow began to dust the place. Sitting down, a chant spilled from his throat as he slung the pack he had carried all this way off his shoulders. It had been a long time that he was at sea and even longer since he felt he could drop his guard for a moment to gather some internal grounding and centering. 

Slowly he pulled off his cloak and then his gloves. The belt came next, along with his dagger, swords, and boot knife. The boots themselves were next and then his tunic. Clad in only his loose black leggings revealed his figure. The dark skinned man was strong and muscled but scarred. A ring of scar tissue was closed but for a few inches all the way around his throat. Various other slashes crossed his chest and back as well as several more black tattoos marking his tanned flesh. He tied his long black hair back and bound his leggings closer to his skin. The chanting continued all the while. 

Removing several items from his pack,  he set down two spheres that looked of a bound white material secured by two metal cords attached to the end of long sticks. The man undid a vial of a liquid and poured the two spheres over with its semi-clear contents. Discarding it, he cleaned off his hands and picked up the sticks. Dipping the spheres in the fire, they immediately caught alight and burned without consuming the spheres. 

He stood near the edge of the plateau and ceased his melodic chants. Beginning slowly, he started swinging the burning orbs around his body,  warding off the snow and the cold as they got very close to his skin. He moved in an intricate design, his eyes fluttering closed as he felt the whistle of the air and the rush of heat all around him. Eventually he went from stationary spinning to dancing upon the rock with the spheres swirling about him, creating a gorgeous display of fire, motion, skin and silence. 

[Mouldy Jam]

The winter wind had broken, just enough that the Zippleback decided to take a flight away from Berk. But when they tried to pick a location, the dragon spiraled and veered off in various directions. Eventually, against both their wills, they ended up in the mountains. It was quiet, the occasional rumble of earth as something passed beneath, but otherwise nothing but a faint whistling of the mountain wind. «This is your fault.» One head snarled, sparks flicking from its slightly opened jaws. While their tail was lashing from anger, the other head was bowed slightly, gurgling a bit as his eyes darted about. «Nah, this isn't my fault. I just wanted to see the ocean.» He let out a faint yelp as the others jaws clamped on his neck, sparks nipping at his scales.

All the while, their bickering took them further and further into the mountains. Nothing caught their attention, nothing that is until a familiar smell struck their nostrils. Releasing their tangle of neck and spines, four nostrils flared as their necks bobbed and weaved trying to locate the scent. A triumphant gurgle came from deep within their throats as they began a steady pace towards it. «Fire! And where there's fire-» «There's bound to be fun.» They both took on slightly sinister grins.

But as the source of the fire came into view, they slowed down their advances considerably. «It's a scaleless two leg!» Mouldy tilted his head slightly, trying to contain his gas. «They call themselves humans, idiot.» But Jam had to admit, he was curious as to why the human was making fire. And how. But the more they watched, the more they became entranced by the spinning fire. Heads following the orbs in spiraling motions, until they knocked into each other. Groaning from the pain, they shook it off, though it left Jam growling faintly. «What an idiot! What if they see us?»

[Ifrit]

The man's eyes slowly opened. If he saw the giant dragon in the dark, he made no show of it. Instead, he wound his body in even more of a serpentine fashion, spinning the light falling snow through the air. Increasing the speed and timing, he was able to create the illusion that the fire was a single stream that wrapped around him. Standing there, they formed an X around his torso, whipping around the wind to create a hypnotizing effect to anyone watching, such as the two beings bearing down on him. 

As he stood there the foreign chant sounded from his chest but he was now singing louder to be heard over the rush of the fire spheres. He looked up towards the sky, still not acknowledging the newcomers... or perhaps it was he who was waiting to be acknowledged? The dark skinned man was very close to the edge of the plateau and yet no fear entered his eyes. The whirl echoed around him until he halted the movement of the orbs with a final cut to his chant. He held a sphere in either hand but it did not seem to burn him or cause him discomfort. In his meditative state he stood there. His voice was quiet, calm and he spoke simply. 

"Have you the courtesy to show yourself?"

[Mouldy Jam]

Ignoring all instincts, the dragon crept closer. As the fire spun faster the dragons eyes shrank to slits, gurgling more. But as they stopped spinning, and the human took the fire in their hands the Zippleback growled slightly. «What kind of human is it?» Jam remained cautious, not daring to approach. But Mouldy had extended his neck closer, nostrils flaring. «I don't know but let's check it out!» Stepping slowly closer, they progressed at a slightly twisted angle as Jam really didn't want to but Mouldy's determination was strong enough to pull the dragon forward.

But then it spoke to them. Jams gums pulled back, revealing his teeth in a massive snarl. «How DARE you speak to us.» Their wings unfurled a bit and flared them aggressively. «Woah, calm down, it's not like he's gunna kill us.» As they crept closer, Mouldy craned his neck around as close as he could. Nostrils flaring he took in the scent. «They smell weird. I don't trust them.» «But the spinning fire!» He sniffed at the orbs, a faint coo of curiosity escaping his parted jaws, lips twitching a bit as he watched the fire dance in his hands.

But Jam however was having none of this, their body laying down on the ground as he lowered his neck to rest on it. If his other half got them into trouble then he would start caring, but for now he decided he would rest. «Don't get us killed.» He added as he caught the excited glint in the other heads eyes.

[Ifrit]

The man saw the dragon illuminated by the light from the moon overhead and by the flames both on the ground and in his hands. It came to rest on the plateau facing him, towards the small cave he had made his fire by. As he saw the dragon behaving aggressively, he did not make a move to flinch, recoil, or otherwise show any fear. When it got close enough to sniff at the orbs, he looked it over, a patient gaze on his face He let the flaming spheres drop to where they hung from his hands, the sticks they were attached to laying on the backs of his hands while the string fell between his middle and ring fingers. Regarding the dragon thoughtfully, he set them down on the ground and rolled them, letting the snow snuff them out. The strange smelling man still seemed composed, cool and unafraid. He did seem to notice the two heads moved independently, one seeming to think a bit differently than the other.

The man moved towards his pack, kneeling near his weapons but seemed to make no move for any of them. Instead, he slowly put his hands in and then slowly brought them out again. On his palms was a long wrapped package and he undid the cloth that was binding it together. Inside seemed to be some smoked strips of meat that was prepared a specific way but they didn't smell unappetizing. He looked back up at the dragon again.

"Since you have seen fit to show yourself and grace my campsite with your presence, it would be rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Aashiq ibn al-Salah ibn Reyhan. Most call me Ifrit. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, the both of you." He lifted the strips of meat towards the head that wasn't on the ground and his eyes reflected the firelight as a smile crossed his lips. "May I interest you in some food?"

[Mouldy Jam]

Gurgling happily, Mouldy watched the human with interest. He snorted slightly as the fire was put out by the snow. Sniffing it again, he tilted his head to the side. A bit of gas spilled out from between his teeth, getting a bit more excited than he probably should be over this. He wanted to reach out and roll one himself, but their body was already laid down and movement wasn't exactly the easiest when half of you was asleep. «But how does it make fire?»

As the human began to move, his pupils became slits and lips pulling slightly into a snarl. But the man didn't actually go for the weapons, and the snarl dropped, mouth relaxing once more. «Oh, I knew you weren't a bad guy.» Jam offered a faint grumble in his sleep, as if judging his other head. But this was ultimately ignored because what was being brought out interested him far more. «Oh food!» Forked tongue slid out of his mouth and a content gurgle escaped. Even Jam's resting head began to drool slightly as the scents reached Mouldy's nostrils.

He went to reach out and take the food, but pulled back with a bit of a surprised grunt as the human began to speak. An introduction perhaps? It was quite long winded but in the end a name was produced. «You talk a lot.» He grunted in reply. Tail swishing behind, the dragon didn't see a point in introducing them as this human clearly didn't speak their language. And not to mention, there was something delicious that needed his attention right now.

«Are you seriously going to take food from a stranger?» Jam lifted his head up and looked groggily at the human. «Don't eat that, I don't want it in my stomach.» Mouldy however had other plans and hooked the meat on his teeth before tossing it up into the air. But before he could catch it Jam knocked him aside and snatched the strip, snarling. «What did I JUST say?» But the taste against his tongue. And the face Mouldy was making tongue hanging out and pupils wide. Eyes rolling, he threw his head back and let it slip down his throat. «Did it taste as good as it smelled?» «Oh shut up.» Jam snarled as he licked his lips.

[Ifrit]

Ifrit stood there and chuckled as he watched the dragon move. He seemed very interested in their movements and the idea of two creatures sharing a single body. Nothing unheard of in his land's lore by any stretch, but actually seeing it was another matter altogether. He stood there for a moment as the dragon spoke, or what he imagined to be speaking. Considering how intricate his own native tongue was, it was easy to let them go off on their own without needing to necessarily respond, at least not right away.

The man saw the other head asleep and was quiet about his speech and movements as he roused, presumably from the smell of the food. Ritually purified meat was a rarity, but Ifrit was a gracious host and used to a mostly vegetarian diet, seeing as how there was a decided lack of imam or priests outside of his homeland. He stood there as the second head lifted up, looking a bit dazed out of his sleep. As the dragon came down and brought his teeth closer the man still didn't flinch or turn away as the slab was tossed into the air.

Ifrit lowered his hands and chuckled softly as the one head snagged the meat from the other. It almost seemed as though the dragon was intending on preventing the other head from eating if his motion was any indication, but then tasting it immediately changed its mind. As the formerly sleeping head swallowed it he chuckled.

"Well, that is the last of the meat reserves I have on me. Perhaps you would prefer this?" He went into his bag once more and broke half of a loaf of baked bread designed to keep for a while. He offered it once more to the head that had had its treat taken by its brother, still moving slowly and respectfully as he held it out.

[Mouldy Jam]

Mouldy was not satisfied with the lack of meat, and began to sniff more at the man. «Got any more?» He was probably getting a bit too close, nostrils flaring and his head tilting to try and see anything tasty. He pulled back as the human spoke again. He felt kind of bad that they had eaten the last of his meat. But the human pulled out something. A happy gurgle escaped him, a bit of gas spilling out. «Oh what's that?» «Smell's boring.» Jam interjected, Mouldy shooting him a rather offended look. «It's not for you!»

He knocked the bread into his mouth and swallowed it. It was rather plain, but it was nice to have something as well. Besides it all went to the same stomach. And now that Jam was awake again, they could stand up. Walking closer to the human, Mouldy pressed his nose into the bag, sniffing it deeply before curving upwards to sniff deeply at the human. He then put his nose rather close to him, sniffing deeply. He curled around him, and scooped up an orb in his teeth with out opening his mouth. «Whatsit for?» He gurgled bumping against the human trying to ask about it in his own way. He kept making small noises out of curiosity.

Jam however showed little interest in the human, or his things. He spent his time instead making sure nothing approached them from behind, or any direction really. He wasn't as trusting of the situation. While Mouldy was making small gurgles, and hiccoughs, Jam had a steady low growl. It wasn't directed at anything, just he was being grumpy about it all. He hadn't been in the mood to deal with anything when they had set out, and this certainly wasn't something he had been planning on dealing with today.

[Ifrit]

Ifrit smiled as the head reached out to grab the bread. He knew a mostly-carnivorous creature when he saw it and resolved that if he should ever cross paths with this being after this, that he would keep more meat from his reserves on his person.

As the dragon got closer, it would smell a distinct scent of tobacco mixed with various flavors, blueberry and apple among them. It would also smell salt, as kissed by the ocean as the man was, it was heavy on him. Also, fatigue. The man hadn't had his boots on dirt for a while now and it was nice to be out and about on something that was less rocky and pitching than the open sea. As the dragon head got close it wouldn't get the sense that Ifrit was afraid any more than he already had been. It might have made one wonder exactly what had been in the man's past that a giant two headed beast wouldn't put the fear of God within him.

It was also evident from the firelight that the dark skinned man carried many scars. The ring around his throat that was nearly closed off. A deep gash over where his heart would be, a slash on his belly. Various burns as well as tribal and runic looking black tattoos on his face, hands and chest, back as well. As he turned, he was stopped by the dragon looking at his meditation sphere, he smiled. Reaching up, he gently pet Mouldy's head. His hands were calloused, but his touch was light and slow, easy to see. "These are my meditation orbs. Fire spinning is a way I have found to clear my head and center myself."

He looked over at the other one, Jam, who didn't seem very interested in him either, and to be fair he couldn't blame him if the dragon was a bit wary. The man opened his mouth to speak but then heard the crunch of something coming up the way he had. As the snow had continued to fall the man quickly moved. He picked up one of his swirled steel scimitars and a small knife. If the dragons were looking, they would be able to tell that the yellowish looking liquid on the smaller blade was a toxin of some kind and presumably very potent. The man growled and moved in his bare feet towards the ledge, in front of the dragon. As if the dragon was literally his guest at his campsite and he was compelled to defend the larger, more toothy predator. Ifrit moved with considerable speed with a human and stood fearlessly, waiting for whatever was making the crunching to reveal itself.

[Mouldy Jam]

The touch from the man made Mouldy release a happy noise. Gurgling faintly he listened to the explination. It made some sense, but he was still a dragon. He didn't want to nuzzle up more, but they also heard the noise. Both heads swung towards the direction of the noise, deep throaty growls escaping them. «We must protect the human!» But as Jam watched the human, he growled louder noticing the weapon. «I don't think it needs protecting.»

But Jam seemed offended as the human made a move in front of them. Did he mean to protect them? The dragon flared his wings out to full span and a threatening hiss escaped both heads. «I'm not doing this for the human. Just so we're clear.» «Yeah, sure. Let's just make sure no one gets hurt!» They stepped forward, so their stomach was directly behind the man. Jam noticed movement first and snapped his head in the direction it came from. «Gas, now!» Mouldy didn't even stop to think and gas spilled from his mouth, and he blew it forward. Working as a team Jam sparked the gas, and it bolted forward. The resulting explosion made a new mini snowstorm. It was a warning shot, in case it was another dragon.

«Who's there?» Jam bellowed in case it was a dragon. «Don't cower in the shadows!» «This human is protected, so don't try anything!» Jam shot a glare, but didn't give it any other thought. If something meant to harm them, he would make sure it didn't. And if the human in front of them didn't deture what ever it was, the large Zippleback surely would. And with their wings spread out, heads held high and arched they looked even bigger than normal.

[Ifrit]

Ifrit saw the explosion reflected in the rock of the mountainside, felt the rush of heat. Thanking Allah they were directing it upward and not at his back, he moved forward. The resulting glare also gave him a view of the shadow of the creature. Too small to be a dragon but wait... were those horns? Ifrit grinned to himself. Oh, he recognized that. Maybe he could do right by his reptilian guest.

Moving forward, he ducked down behind the path and slid. There was the sound of a struggle, along with some distinct bleating and a very strange tongue coming from the man. It sounded like a prayer. A CRACK could be heard soon after. After a few moments, Ifrit came back up the path. He was grunting and dragging a cleanly killed mountain goat carcass behind him. Dragging it over by the fire, he continued thanking the animal and Allah for providing it before he took a smaller, nonpoisoned hunting knife from his tools. He looked up at the dragon and smiled softly. "Do not worry, I understand."

He set to work carving some strips of the meat which he found a flat, relatively clean rock to heat them on by his fire. The man skillfully drained the blood of the creature into a skin so as not to attract anything large. When this was completed, he stood once more. The remainder of the goat he hefted in his hands and walked over to the dragon once more, though with a bit of difficulty, the creature was still heavy. Offering the warm body towards both heads, there was more than enough meat, organ and bone for at least a few mouthfuls for each of them. "Join me?"

[Mouldy Jam]

Snarling, the dragon stepped forward a bit as the human took after whatever had been the bother. «Good riddance.» Jam snapped turning his neck to pull then away. «Wait!» Mouldy stared with hopeful eyes through he smoke and snow. He knew the human would return, his things were still there and he likely wouldn't want to be far from the fire for long.

A surprised gurgle escaped him as the man returned. Jam however was not as pleased with the situation. «A horned fur ball? That's what all the fuss was about?» He hissed and watched the human doing something strange with the carcass. Head tilting slightly, not sure what the purpose of his actions were, but staying out of it all the same. However when it was presented to them, even Jam let out a surprised sound. He still didn't quite trust the man, but the thought of free food was nice.

Jam lunged to snap it up, only to knock into Mouldy with an offended growl. «Watch it, this is mine!» «What? It's for me!» Mouldy grabbed the head and neck of the animal, while Jam took the rear. They began to tug and tear at the dead beast, to the point the bones began to splinter and crack. While Ifrit had been careful to not make a mess and attract attention, the dragon was not so careful. The dead animal split right in half, innards and bone splinters scattering below them. Each head threw back and tried to swallow their respective halves. Both of them licked their lips, glancing at the other. «Okay, they aren't that bad of a human.»

The now content Zippleback yawned content, a purring like gurgle escaping both heads. But as Mouldy became more relaxed, more gas began to leak out. «I'm so satisfied I could sleep right now.» He yawned, tongue hanging out to the side. But while content, Jam's nostrils flared. «Wait, something is still out there.» His lips twitched, a snarl growing deep in his throat. «It's not just a stupid furry animal.» «Oh, I smell it.» And this time the scent was far more familiar.

And not long after the scent, came the sound. The whispering. The began clawing at the ground, staring around for any signs of movement. Jam only hoped that the human would notice before he got sucked below the ground. Their snarling grew louder as an audible rumbling came from the ground. They backed up, clawing at the earth beneath them more. Keeping their heads low, they curled around the human trying to locate the dragon beneath them. 

And it wasn't long before it showed itself, in a shrill cry and burst of rock and dirt it spiraled out of the ground. The Zippleback roared and flared their wings once more, Jam sparking threateningly. «We don't have time for the likes of you right now!» Jam snarled through slightly parted teeth.

«That was my food, and you stole it.» The Whispering Death hissed in response.

[Ifrit]

Ifrit sat there as the meat was cooking, watching the dragons seeming to argue over the goat carcass. He chuckled softly as he began taking inventory and the dragon started purring like a cat who just dug into a pot of heavy cream and then found a patch of sunshine on a window ledge. It wasn't long though before he could sense the earth moving. Being as used to the sands shifting as he was, on reflex Ifrit grabbed his things and threw them back as he darted away from the opening pit. He did notice the dragon seemed to curl around him which for the moment made him think they had an interest in protecting him.

But then he saw the massive spiked serpent rise from the ground, its bulbous eyes boring into them as it scattered his fire and cooking goat meat. He felt a bit insulted at that but this dragon seemed far less likely to be appeased by food or kind words. The human grabbed his deadly blades once more and quickly uncapped a vial in his things. Coating both huge blades, the liquid dried quickly but he made sure not to bring the deadly stuff near the Zippleback. He stepped forward and growled, still feeling the obligation to protect his guest. But also, he was familiar with the shape of this particular wyrm. It reminded him of his homeland and got a fire lit in his chest and belly he hadn't felt in years.

The man noticed the eyes of the serpent. From his experience, anything what lived underground like that had exceptional eyesight at night... but hated light. He yelled something out loud in Arabic which roughly translated to "Allah, be merciful upon my enemy, and forgive me for I will not!" Slamming his blades into the rock, the liquid sparked and his blades went up in flame. He twirled them around his bare chest in a hypnotizing display as he advanced on the growling Whispering Death. "I was not named after a fire demon without cause! Have at you, beast!" He stared down the Whispering Death fearlessly as his heart raced in his chest. If tonight was when he entered the clutch of Allah's judgement, so be it. But he wasn't going down without a fight.

[Mouldy Jam]

The human stepped away from them, soaking his blades they simply kept growling. «Get back in your dirty hole!» Jam snapped, sparking furiously. Wings flared again, quivering as they arched their necks up, lips pulled back and the deep thoaty growl ripped through the air.

But the other dragon didn't seem to care, not about the silly human, nor the Zipplebacks obvious aggression. But it did notice the saddle on the dragons back. «Stupid tame beast, you're tricks wont save you.» When Ifrit's blades went up in flames however, it spun quickly and let out a shrill cry. It looked away from the flame and threw itself at the ground, vanishing into the dirt and rock.

«Oh, that was easy.» Mouldy lowered his head, and stared down the hole. «It's not over idiot. Fill that hole!» «With what?» Jam stared, as if asking 'did you seriously just say that?' «Oh... right.» His lips quivered as a torrent of gas spilled into the hole. Waiting for a moment, Jam watched the gas fill up the tunnels that undoubtably lay beneath. When he noticed gas begining to spill out of the first hole, he clicked his jaws sparking it. The explosion ripped through the ground, bursting out behind them. «Oh yeah! Who's the winner!»

But their victory was cut short as the dragon burst through the ground behind them. It cried out and whipped it's tail, spines flying from it. The Zippleback took off before they could hit, hoping that the human had enough sense to attempt the same. 

[Ifrit]

Ifrit saw it move when his blades went afire and knew it was only momentarily dipping down. As he saw the Zippleback move, his eyes followed the trail of gas and flame, widening at the display as the rock rumbled and then explosions ripped through the mountainside. "Impressive..." He didn't lower his blades though. If he didn't see a dead carcass, the thing wasn't dead in his mind.

And turning out, he was correct! As the Whispering Death shot through behind them he felt the plateau rumble a bit, knowing it was likely getting unstable from the repeated drilling from the underground dragon. Turning, he saw the dragon lift off and essentially expose him towards the shower of spines coming at him. He threw himself to the side but caught a few of the spines in the chest and arm, even as his blades twirled enough to deflect them. But the Death came up near the cave which was enough to box in at least some of his body.

Letting out an inhuman roar like the blood streaming down his body didn't bother him, he whirled a blade and drove it into the side of the dragon. Jumping on the edge of the cave he tore up and landed on the things back, using spines on its side to balance and keep from impaling himself on the bottom. He took his second blade as he ripped a hole tearing the first one free and drove it down towards the wyrm's head, aiming for where he thought the brain and spinal cord were seated in an attempt to end the creature and quickly, before this became a mistake... well. A bigger one.