the creature alliance - semi advanced discussion

The portal opened on the other side, and Esperanza stepped out, she looked around breathing in the cool air. It was winter here, but while the ground was covered in snow and the roofs in frost the trees were all covered in flowers, it was like a place in a fantasy book you'd read as child. She held Ivy till she felt that her friend wouldn't fall over from the sudden travel through the void of the portal. They were in the village square which in that moment happened to be quite empty, since there were perhaps only a few hundred dragons living in the village.
A small group of young dragonet children were running around, in their little kimonos, since they were in the village they were in their half dragon forms as was everyone else in the village. A woman ran up to Esperanza, (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] she had beautiful red scales and a white and red kimono covering her body, like Esperanza she was quite tall as was all the other dragons.
"Esperanza, you foolish child," she scolded, handing Esperanza a set of clothing as she wasn't wearing anything, not that she needed to but it was just a politeness thing and decency.
"Sorry, Ryuu, I got caught up," Esperanza apologized, letting go of Ivy and not shielding her from view as she dressed.
"Hmmm, tell that to Elder Vesta, and who is this?!" she gasped.
It first it may have seemed like she was scolding Esperanza more about bringing Ivy, but she was actually circling the serpent in amazement.
"She is so cute, and small," Ryuu smiled,
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce you two," Esperanza's voice was calm even if she had just been scolded, "Ryuu this is Ivy, Ivy this is Ryuu she helped the elders take care of me, when I was younger," she said.
"You still are young," Ryuu argued, "I mean you still can't control that serotonin release of yours," her tails knocked Esperanza over the head.

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She felt incredibly woozy from going through the portal, although it gave her a big adrenaline rush, which was fun. She was shocked at how beautiful and different this place was. Wait, was that snow? How did that work? She really confused the more she thought about it
She'd be slightly caught off-guard by somebody already approaching, it seemed everybody here knew each other, which she was actually was quite envious of, although she wouldn't show it. Upon Ryuu calling her cute she decided to compliment her as well, "You're quite pretty yourself." She wasn't sure if that came out well, although she ignored it, considering it was just a compliment. After Esperanza introduced her she'd reach out for a handshake, with a slight smile. It felt fun to be meeting so many people in a single day. She was listening to their conversation, although she wasn't sure of what to say and would just keep quiet to avoid interrupting anything.

Esperanza sighed, Ryuu was like a mother figure to her and a friend. During her younger years Esperanza had been given to the elders by her parents, who didn't want their strange only daughter, as a result she was given many nannies and caretakers; only taking real interest in Ryuu. As a result Ryuu ended up being her nanny permanently.
"Awww, she's so polite," Ryuu beamed, she took Ivy's outstretched hand with both of her large clawed hands shaking it gently.
"Ryuu how is your family doing?" Esperanza asked,
"Good, good," "Lets get you both fed before I send you to the elders," she offered, Esperanza motioned for Ivy to follow.
She leaned down and whispered to Ivy,
"Ryuu has always wanted to go off the island, but hasn't been able to, so she will probably be the most relaxed person around you."

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Ivy felt quite welcomed, which was nice and helped push off the confusion from the snow being on the ground.
Ivy didn't want to be rude, although she'd try to say it in the best way possible, "Oh, I ate before I got here, it's fine." She thought she worded that well, although she couldn't be really sure. She was slightly scared it would be seen as rude and she'd be kicked off as quickly as she got here, even if that was unlikely.
She'd whisper back to Esperanza, "Well, I could understand that, it seems like things would get old quickly," she'd pause for a moment, "especially with the much longer lifespan."

Ryuu led the way to her hut, winding through streets and alleyways, other dragons turned heads and looked at Ivy with shock. Mostly in surprise at someone they didn't know, a few people whispered, but Esperanza looked at each of them. Many people feared her, though they didn't need to, so they tended to give her space.
"Don't worry about that," Ryuu encouraged, "I can at least make you a drink," she offered.
Esperanza chuckled, arguing with Ryuu was impossible, she was quite passive aggressive.
"Oh they do," she giggled.

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Ivy didn't really notice the people staring, instead, she was enchanted by the scenery, even though she had no clue how there could be snow on the ground.
"Alrighty, I'm fine with that," She already refused a meal, it'd be rude to continue to refuse more offers, considering how welcome Ryuu is being towards someone who shouldn't even know the dragons exist. She also was quite thirsty, maybe from the teleportation, although she wasn't sure. The more she thought about it the thirstier she got. She really could use that drink.
"Are most people bored here?" She realized this could come off as slightly rude, although she shrugged it off, considering it'd be fine either way. Well, she had to take into consideration that they had a lot of knowledge all here, but those would likely only benefit a few people.

"Wonderful!" Ryuu clasped her hands together, they turned down one more street.
"Often yes," Esperanza replied a bit sheepishly.
Walking up to a small and quaint hut Ryuu opened the door, and already yelling could be heard from the inner rooms, two children to be exact. A man looked around the corner and waved at Ryuu, welcoming her home with open arms and they embraced each other tightly.
"Good to see you, Esperanza," Gabriel welcomed, "Who is this?" he asked, clearly interested at the sight of Ivy.
"This is Ivy, a friend of Espa," Ryuu answered quickly.
Espa had been Ryuu's name for Esperanza when she was much younger and had been newly placed into her care, it was kinda cute,
"Espa!" two children ran over and tackled Esperanza, both of them where a spitting image of Ryuu, with the same red scales and red hair, along with their own kimonos.
"How are you, Felix and Felicia?" Esperanza asked, a smile on her face.

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Ivy was happy, Ryuu was being incredibly nice, especially considering she was an outsider inside a place that nobody is meant to know about. "Hi, I'm Ivy," She realized she was kind of echoing Ryuu, although she pushed it off a bit. Espa? That was an interesting nickname, she always was a fan of nicknames, but she never really got them, considering her easy loss of friends.
Ivy always hated telling children apart, she thought they were fine, just she never really could tell any apart. She leaned over and whispered to Esperanza, "Who is who? I'm probably going to ask this many times, considering I'm really bad at recognizing people." She knew she would likely miss them up or forget their names many times, especially considering how similar they looked.
"Wait! I haven't gotten your name," She'd be referring to Gabriel, although she wouldn't be looking at him, just making hand gestures towards him.

Esperanza looked at Ivy and chuckled a bit,
"It was a pet name, for me, that Ryuu called me when I was younger," she explained.
The two children were identical, so it probably didn't help Ivy, when she tried to tell them apart. Esperanza was sprawled on the floor, her tail swishing back and forth happily, the children's tails doing the exact same. Ryuu and Gabriel's tails were curled around each other, and they watched Espa and the twins.
Lifting them off her with her tail, Esperanza stood up,
"This is Felix," she motioned to the boy, and tussled his hair, it was long and reached his shoulders, "And this is Felicia," she said, and placed a hand on the little dragonet's shoulder.
"Oh sorry," Gabriel apologized bowing slightly, and hand over his heart, "I'm Gabriel, Ryuu's mate," he replied.
Ryuu beamed, "Now that we are done with formalities, lets get you two something to eat and drink," she announced.
Espa was dragged off by Felix and Felicia took Ivy's hand, the children had think dragon skin and so did Ryuu, Gabriel and Esperanza so Ivy's poisonous skin didn't affect them in this form. Felicia gently pulled Ivy into the dining room, she was gentle, but clearly strong, like a dragonet should be.

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She'd repeat his name under her breath, trying to get it engraved in her head that this person was Felix. She'd do the same for Felicia, although she looked in the general direction of Felicia this time, considering she found the name to be more interesting.
"I'm Ivy, I own a shop in the snake kingdom," She realized telling that last part was pointless after she said that, but she was currently talking without thinking so it didn't really matter much, considering this would likely be over quickly.
She felt slightly excited, she only realized how parched she was a moment ago, but she couldn't distract herself from that.
She flinched away, out of instinct, although quickly apologized upon realizing she had gloves on and that it'd be fine either way.

Both of the dragonets had slight differences, Felix had that up beat and energetic look to him, with his upturned eyes. While Felicia had the same looked at was almost always on Esperanza's face, a serene calm.
"Nice to meet you," Gabriel welcomed her.
Gabriel and Ryuu disappeared into the kitchen with Felix and Esperanza.
Pulling Ivy after her, Felicia took Ivy to the dining room, it was a bright room with many windows a shorter table with pillows around it. Already it was covered in many foods all vegetarian. Along with hot tea, and other soups.

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"It's nice to meet you too," Ivy wasn't too excited, but it'd be fine either way. She wasn't really sure why she wasn't excited, considering she just was, although she pushed it off as just a dumb symptom of ADHD.
She kind of had to squint, considering she was much used to rooms not being too bright, likely just having a few candles, but she tried her best not to show that she was uncomfortable with how bright it was. She knew she had just eaten, although the food looked really good and she felt like she could maybe handle a bit more. The teas seemed like they'd be really good as well.

The dragon village had no running water or lights, basically none of those new teleological advancements, but with the entire village build around many rivers it made water easy to access at all times of the year and every house had multiple windows.
Gabriel and Felix, were already seated and Felicia placed a pillow for Ivy to sit, and sat down at her own place.
"So what brings you to our village?" Gabriel asked, "Are you here to see Espa's full moon?"
Espa's full moon was an event that happened very time the full moon came around and many dragon villagers would go to watch Espa transfer into her spirit body, it was stunning to watch.

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"Oh, thank you," Ivy was caught slightly off-guard by someone bringing her something to sit on, she honestly would've just sat on the floor, although she realized that it could be seen as rude if nobody offered her a place to sit.
"I think Esperanza just brought me for the hell of it," She wasn't sure if she had forgotten Esperanza's reasoning or if there was no real reason at all, other than just bringing her along. The last part of Gabriel's question was finally processed for her. "No, what's that?" She asked, interested, considering Esperanza hadn't mentioned anything about her moon while they were talking, but she always might have and it was just slipping Ivy's mind.

Felicia nodded, she was a little more shy around Ivy then her brother and parents, the girl looked like she could see into Ivy's soul. It wouldn't be surprising, as Esperanza had mentioned the dragons having all sorts of abilities, that weren't normal.
"Esperanza always has a reason," Gabriel chuckled.
Clearly the family thought very highly of Esperanza, for reasons unknown.
"Oooo, you have to come see!" Felix spoke up, "It happens every full moon, the knowledge halls' dream chamber is opened for everyone to sit and watch as Espa moves into her spirit body," he explains.
Felicia nods, interrupting her brother's explanation.
"In the dream chamber the ceiling has an opening for the full moon to shine in, and Espa sits on the floor, letting all her energy pour into another body for her work in the spirit plain."
Ryuu and Esperanza walked into the room, each holding something, Esperanza held a tea pot and some sweet each in one hand and a plate of fresh bread with her tail. Ryuu was holding some savory foods in her hands, they each set them on the table. Esperanza was visibly drained, she looked half asleep, well the full moon was the next evening so it was understandable.

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"Wow, that sounds," she'd pause, "Like a lot of pressure to put on one person, but I'd assume she has gotten incredibly good at it to be able to have a crowd while it happens." She felt like it'd be viewed as partially rude for her to have said that, but she knew it'd likely be seen as her just sharing an opinion.
Ivy was excited upon seeing the bread, she always had a weak spot for bread. She was really hungry, despite having just eaten. The food all looked incredibly good and she might have to have some. After taking in all the food she noticed Esperanza, she looked very drained. Ivy was confused by that, considering she looked decently when she went in, but it was likely a side affect of her role.

Gabriel nodded, it was and he had always felt a little sorry,
"Well she's been doing this for well over 6 000 years, but she still gets nervous," he admits.
The three dragons that were in the room didn't see that as a rude comment at all, just someone looking out for Espa, which they thought was something she needed. While she had an important role people were still quite scared of her.
Sitting down Ryuu sat next to Espa, rubbing her back a little,
"You still awake?" Ryuu asked,
"I am," Esperanza nodded.
Food was passed around the table, there was lots so there wasn't much of a worry for running out.

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"Well, yeah that's a lot of eyes to be on somebody, especially while doing something of such importance," Ivy felt kind of bad for Esperanza, considering that could make it much more difficult to do.
Ivy found it interesting that Esperanza had so quickly gotten so tired, although she knew that Esperanza's thing was quite draining, so that could just be the cause of it.
Ivy only got a bit, considering she had just eaten and didn't want to overstuff herself, although she was really struggling to not get more.
Once the food was done being passed around she waited a moment, checking to make sure they didn't have any predinner traditions, a habit she was forced to have since childhood.

Gabriel nodded in agreement, he personally was glad he only had fire abilities, something quite traditional and nothing special. His children were similar yet different, Felix's fire was more like fireworks, but Felicia could see into souls.
From creating a portal and being in a human form for so long Esperanza had drain her energy faster then usual, which wasn't always the best but was fine.
After everyone had dished up, they thanked Ryuu and Esperanza for serving the meal.
For dragons they always thanked those who had prepared the meal then began to eat, it was an act of politeness to be grateful towards those that set a meal before you.
The dragons began to eat.

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It took Ivy a moment to catch on to what they were all saying, she was honestly distracted by the aromas coming from the foods. After snapping out of it she quickly realized what she was meant to do and frantically thanked them.
She was glad to finally be able to start eating, the aromas were making her mouth water before. She was trying her best to stay neat, which she was doing quite well. "The food is very good!" she'd say after finishing a bite, she really did enjoy the food. She was partially upset she had already eaten because she wanted to have a full meal of this all.

Everyone ate, the chatter between the dragons was friendly and simple, Esperanza was happy to be back. Yet the world outside this village was something she sort of longed to see again, she released a small amount of serotonin on herself to calm her mood and nerves for the day to come.
"Glad you like it," Ryuu beamed.
Ryuu was a good cook, and Gabriel and the two dragonets both nodded in agreement to Ivy's statement about the meal.
Esperanza was glad she had brought Ivy to her village, this was a place she wanted to show other people, but the world wasn't ready for it. One person at a time, Espa told herself mentally.

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"Yeah!" She responded enthusiastically, but it was just to disguise the fact she wasn't sure how to continue the coversation, she was always taught to end it there, but she always wanted to continue talking about it.
Only when she was halfway through her small serving she realized how sleepy she was. She wasn't sure when that happened, but she wished it didn't, she would rather stay awake and be able to get to know everyone better, even if it was for just a bit longer than she'd get if she were to go to sleep soon. She yawned, but she did her best to conceal it, even though it wouldn't matter at all.

"If you need a place to stay while you're here, and aren't comfortable with the idea of staying at the knowledge hall you both are free to stay here," Ryuu offered.
She could see the tiredness in Ivy's eyes, she didn't need to see her yawn to know what she was feeling in that moment, she had kids after all so these things were something she subconsciously looked for.
"Thanks, Ryuu," Esperanza said, thanking the dragon.
Ryuu nodded, and gave her a slight embrace, simply happy to see her again.

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Ivy quickly realized that she should also thank Ryuu. She quickly blurted out, "Thank you." She nodded, she really was thankful, but her tone wasn't working along with her, it came out that painted her as not as thankful as she actually was.
"Only if it isn't an unnecessary burden though," she said, slightly mumbly. She always was afraid that she might be putting an unnecessary amount of weight on somebody when it's not required and there'd easily be a workaround. She really didn't want to make them feel like she had to be taken care of, but she partially knew that seemed to be something they were fine doing so, but then again, she didn't want to seem rude.

(I think we should move onto the knowledge hall, it would be a change of scenery and liven things up, if you want)

(I'll start) (may take a bit to post though)