The Judgement of Sinners (Complete)

Though she hadn’t been paying too much attention to the others, the distinctive *clicks* of locks opening gave Nat a little more hope and she nodded reassuringly at the sphinx, briefly stroking his shackled leg in silent gratitude for helping to alert the others...however unorthodox the method. “You’re very brave. Just hold still, and I should be able to...” She deployed her PAK’s laser function, a thin beam of searing light extending from a short, mechanical leg. As the dragon hadn’t descended immediately as she’d feared, they shouldn’t have to rush as much; her eyes narrowed and her tongue poked out in concentration as she guided the laser through the metal chains, as close to the sphinx’s paw as she dared. Slowly but surely, under the concentrated heat the metal began to sizzle and melt away, until - yes! The two halves broke apart, leaving the creature still with a cuff dangling from his leg, but nevertheless no longer tethered to the ground. Hopefully it would be enough until they could move all the creatures somewhere to remove their chains more safely, and a brief but brilliant smile flashed across her features, her lekku perking up with momentary relief.

“That did it!” Her eyes flicked from the Riddle to the others; while the other rescuers were working on freeing the hippogryph and the East, her gaze landed on the other feline creature that had so far remained the quietest of the bunch. “Hello, little one...shall we get you untangled too?” She approached the Nova swiftly but carefully, aiming her laser hopefully a safe distance from coming into contact with her sleek, delicate-looking fur.

::Major update!::

Thank you so much for freeing me, the East hippogryph said, looking relieved at finally being able to move again. We should get moving before that dragon comes back...or before a new one spots us. He glanced between Carrot and Necthan, before seeming to have made up his mind. He pressed himself into Carrot's side, the bond settling into place as naturally as if it had always been there.

Bond made! Innocent Until Proven Guilty East Hippogryph to Carrot!

The Reef hippocampus could see Noah's unease and moved instinctively to defuse the situation to the best of her ability. She nuzzled into him the best she was able to, a newfound calmness like a placid ocean on a warm sunny day settling into the firebird. Thank you for freeing me. I hope that we are able to survive getting out of this awful place together. All of Noah's companions looked like they were ready to move but also to protect Noah, and honestly she could identify with that desire to protect and support the firebird.

Bond made! The Beautiful Beast Of The Seven Seas Reef Hippocampus to Noah!

To his credit, the Riddle didn't kick up much of a fuss about being left with three legs still chained to the ground but he was getting a bit antsy to get free. If Nat only had one functioning laser, though, he couldn't really hold it against her when she was doing her best to free as many of them as possible. There would be enough time to remove the actual cuffs still attached to his limbs once they'd reached safety. It was rather interesting that the next one the alien female moved to help was the Nova, however.

The feline herself was surprised as well, though she was quick to hold still so she wasn't grazed by the odd beam of light that seemed to cut through chains like butter. And here I thought you would be helping your sphinx friend first, not that I'm complaining! She might have sounded a bit too excited, but when they were this close to being rescued from the menu it really wasn't that much of a surprise. At least someone was finally paying her some attention and working to help her out, even if this odd-looking newcomer could only cut through one chain at a time. She wiggled her now free leg, the cuff slipping off a bit more easily and leaving a matted ring of fur where it had once been. Once this was all over, she couldn't wait to take a wonderfully long nap. After everything she'd been through today, the Nova felt like she deserved it.

“Oh! I thought...” Nat‘s eyes widened, her gaze darting back from the Nova to the Sphinx as she realised that in her haste, she hadn’t noticed he was shackled by three other chains. Her long drilled in Irken pride, however, wouldn’t allow her to admit to a mistake - especially in front of all these strangers, who for all she knew could turn out be enemies ready to exploit any sign of weakness (though they seemed much more compassionate than that, but - she didn’t have time to ponder it right now). She simply gave the Nova a nervous but hopeful smile as her paw came free, her gloved thumb brushing the matted ring of fur. “I didn’t want anyone to feel overlooked,” she answered, which wasn’t a lie. “I’ll be right back for you, okay?”

With that, she darted back to the sphinx, meeting his golden gaze with a slightly apologetic look. “Thank you for being so patient,” she murmured, hoping he wouldn’t hold her momentary oversight against her. “Let’s get all of these off you first, and then we can get to the rest of you.” She aimed her laser once again, waiting for the creature - her friend? Most Irkens only kept acquaintances, and certainly not with non-allied species, yet she found herself hoping that this one would be, as the Nova had described them - to still so she could slice through the remaining three of his shackles. Focusing on freeing one creature completely before moving to the next, rather than darting frantically from one to the other, she believed would be a more effective technique- the others had had the right idea.

::Major update!::

I sure hope not. Too many feathers, you know? the hippogryph chuckled, somewhat appreciative of the jokes now that the danger of the dragon gobbling them up had passed. He didn't think that there could be anything bigger than a dragon, except maybe another dragon. Then again, he didn't particularly want to find out if there was anything bigger than a dragon either. At least Necthan was almost finished picking the locks on the last few of his shackles, and then he'd be free as a bird again. Although, he could definitely see the appeal in bonding with one of these people...

Don't you worry about it, I'll still be here while you work on your friend, the Nova purred in amusement, nudging Nat back towards the sphinx that she seemed so enamored with...and who seemed equally enamored with her. It was nice to know that she wouldn't be forgotten about, though the Razor seemed to be growing more irritable since no one had so much as bothered to approach her, not even the half-dragon whom had been working hard on freeing the East hippogryph and now had two free hands that he could be using to help her. The Astrum's ears twitched when she picked up the sound of a low growl, too low for anyone else to hear unless they happened to get close to the annoyed Sharpblade. It didn't seem like she was too accustomed to waiting.

As the last shackle fell from his legs, the Riddle shook himself and fluffed up his wings. Really appreciate your help, little missy. And as they say, one good turn deserves another! He stuck his tongue out and winked at Nat before giving her a quick nuzzle. The bond settled into place with a feeling of giddiness welling up inside of them both, said Sphinx barking out a laugh. Something tells me we're going to share a lot of laughs together. He was hoping he would be able to help Nat relax and have some more fun. Life was made for living, survival just wasn't enough.

Bond made! What Do You Call A Cup That Falls Off A Swing? Riddle Sphinx to Nat!

Yeah yeah, he'd get to the sharp blade soon, just this one last... tricky-

click

Lock!

Last one and the hippogryph was free! Nec gave him a pat before turning yo the biped. "Your turn."

Lucky with just two, the first one clicked open fast, the other was a bit more stubborn. If the sharpblade made any comment Nec would just give her a look and a smirk. "You could give it a go with that laser of yours on the other one." Cool your jets, Sharpblafe, you're soon free.

It still felt weird, a bunch if creatures chained up in the middle of nowhere. It had the eery reeling of a trap, but they didn't set traps!

Did dragons?

"Of course you can, Spòrsail. None of my bonded's have any restrictions." They were all free to do as they wanted, when they wanted. Did anyone put rules on their companions? Nec smiled at the Bond settling and turned to the Sharp blade.

"Royalty, hm?" Looking at her with a smirk, Nec cocked his head. "I can be a difficult student, Rioghail, you sure you're up to it?" That said, and Bond firmly in place, Nec looked around but couldn't see any hint at where the storm would come from, though they'd had a hint. "I suggest we all get more aquainted somewhere else than here, I'd rather not get caught in a dust storm large enough to scare off a dragon.

Carrot looked to the storm. "We better get out of here, Cyno." He had finally named his bonded. He flapped his wings and took to the sky. "I know of a safe place we can lay low until this storm blows over."