Imaginary Arrival [Open Intro]

[Syos]

"Weeeeee! I didn't know it was possible to have this much fun. Syos, you're the best!"

"No Amy, you are the best! You did such a great job of imagining me as a winged horse, and of adding your own creative touches such as the hooves that can heat air to generate thermal currents, wings that can split into multiple wings and later re-merge, the tractor-beam tail that can save you from falling, the rainbow horse shoes, and the color-shifting mane that can look like ocean waves, billowing grain, or other things as it's blown while I fly. It's because of you that I'm able to do this. Thank you so much!"

This was a small part of a conversation held by a little girl and the winged horse she was riding through the sky. Actually, the flying equine was a being known as a benefactor. Benefactors are kind of like shapeshifters, but they cannot shift their own shapes. Instead, they are made of imagination and thus, can be imagined into other forms by someone they have granted permission to transform them. The maximum power of a form is determined by how vivid, detailed, and creative the imaginer was being when they transformed the benefactor. Thanks to Amy the litle girl's exceptionally good imagination, her friend Syos the benefactor was flying at high speeds, maneuvering well, creating thermal currents to assist his flight, sometimes splitting his wings into multiple pairs of wings to fly differently until he merged them back into a single pair, and ready to catch Amy with a tractor beam if she fell. All the while, he was looking beautiful.

Once the flight was over, Amy was feeling full of energy and decided to try an experiment. "Hey Syos, can you teleport when in the right form?"

"Hmmm, I don't know," admitted the benefactor. "That is a very good question."

"Well, let's find out!" She imagined her friend into being a unicorn while doing her very best to to be vivid, detailed, and creative. "Some legends say that unicorns can teleport once a day. Let's see if you can!"

"You got it!" Syos happily attempted to teleport.

Unfortunately, he didn't reappear. Amy was soon crying profusely. "No! Syos!"

A short time later, in a flower garden in a town in the world of Tairachi, Syos reappeared. The teleportation accident had forced him back into his true form: an anthro cocker spaniel in a hooded white robe. It also left him stunned and lying on the ground in pain. "Oooo! What happened?"

[Demitri]

The sudden flash followed by the rather sudden appearance of a stranger in the middle of the, previously serenely quiet, garden caused Demitri to yelp and fall backwards, off the stone wall encircling a marble fountain at the center of the garden, and into the ice cold water.

He shouted and cursed his situation as he removed himself from the water and shook himself off. He rung as much water from his clothes as possible before realizing that this strange creature seemed to be in some distress and padded over toward it quickly. He kept himself at what he felt was a safe distance before speaking in case it was aggressive.

"You okay?"

[Syos]

Syos's head was aching, but as the benefactor realized the situation he was in, he no longer noticed the pain because it was drowned out by horror. "Oh no! Where am I?" In desperation, he called out the name of the friend he had just been with. "Amy! Amy!" Of course, she didn't hear him.

As the anthro cocker spaniel thought of the anguish his sudden disappearance must have been causing his friend, and how much anguish it would cause all of his friends and family once they heard about it, he dropped to his knees while shaking uncontrollably and crying profusely.

After several moments, he finally realized that somebody had tried to speak to him (Syos's sheer level of distress had prevented him from noticing Demitri at first. He wasn't even aware that Demitri had fallen into a fountain or done any shouting.) The benefactor remained on his knees while speaking to the kittora/kitsune hybrid in a tone of utter desperation. "Sir, to be honest, I'm far from okay! I beg of you, please let me help you in some way!" Helping others was often the only way that Syos could deal with emotional distress. The sheer level of distress he was feeling left him so desperate to help somebody that he immediately spoke the following sentence: "For at least an hour, I am your imagination." As he finished that statement, small lights swirled around Syos and Demitri for several seconds.

Once the lights had vanished, Syos kept speaking. "Sir, you can now transform me into whatever you want me to be. I am made of imagination, so just imagine the form you want me to have while willing it to be so. I can be a laborer, a guard, a pet, a steed, or any kind of friend you need. Please, transform me and tell me how I can help you!" The benefactor was still crying.

For the moment, Syos hadn't noticed that Demitri's clothes were wet. Distressed people sometimes overlook details that should be obvious.

[Demitri]

Demitri was caught off guard by the strange lights encircling the two.

"Imagination? But.. I... what?"

Demitri couldn't figure out what question to ask first. At the mention of his imagination, Demitri could only think of the book he had been reading about the anatomy of Dragons, specifically the details he could remember about the Lunar Dragons that once sought refuge in Tairachi from some far-away world.

He felt like his mind was acting outside of his own will as he recalled mentally every detail the book had to offer on the subject. from the 50' long size, iridescent white scale color, and limbs that allowed it the stand on it's hind legs for short periods of time to the huge wingspan, elegant visage, and complete lack of horns.

Such creatures had long ago departed from Tairachi. Perhaps to find more suitable habitat. For whatever reason they had gone from this world and Demitri was left to use his imagination to envision what Lunar Dragons might have looked like when they had resided here.

He fought to regain control of his thoughts while giving a questioning look to this new stranger.

"Who ARE you?"

[Syos]

Syos started to calm down when he saw Demitri thinking. Anticipating an opportunity to help someone, he even managed to smile. He strikes me as someone with a strong imagination, the benefactor silently thought. He should be able to make me into any sort of servant he needs.

Syos was embarrassed when Demitri asked who he was in the tone he did. "Oh, I'm sorry about being hysterical! My name is Syos. As I said, I'm a benefactor. My kind exists to serve others. For the time being, I am your servant and..."

Being thrust into another world had momentarily misaligned Syos's ability to be transformed by others, resulting in his transformation being delayed. However, the delay had passed. The anthro cocker spaniel grew, shifted, and changed until he was a lunar dragon as large and beautiful as Demitri had imagined. From the well-designed limbs to the shapely face to the iridescent white scales to the huge wingspan to every other detail, the image in front of the scholar was the same one he had crafted in his imagination.

Unfortunately, this resulted in numerous flowers being crushed and numerous townsfolk screaming in fear. Syos the lunar dragon looked at Demitri with a look of great nervousness that belied his powerful form. "Master, I think we are in trouble!"

[Demitri]

Demitri yelped again as he backed up and tripped, falling back onto his back at the sudden transformation having taken place before him. His shock and panic was replace with awe as he rubbed his eyes at the dragon suddenly standing there. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was just as he had imagined a Lunar Dragon would have looked.

"How.. What.." He stammered. He couldn't figure out what to ask first.

His awe returned to panic when he noticed the uproar breaking out through the town.

"Dear Inari! Most people have never even read books about dragons and nobody has ever seen one alive! "

He got to his feet and thought for a moment with a groan.

They'll likely inform local guards and they'll fetch soldiers..

He turned to Syos with his own flustered expression.

"I think we'd better get out of here."

[Syos]

Syos was feeling horribly guilty about the panic that had been caused by his recklessness (he was also feeling guilty about startling Demitri and making him fall down.) He was tempted to fly into another fit of crying and losing it, but his mind was stabilized by one thought: If I don't keep myself under control, I'll keep making things worse and adding to my guilt!

The benefactor in dragon form almost asked Demitri to change him into something smaller, but quickly realized that might not work. I don't have time to properly explain things, and people still might be scared and attack while seeing me as some sort of demon. He's right, we need to get out of here!

Without further delay, Syos got down on the ground so that Demitri could easily mount up. He cringed as more flowers were crushed in the process, but he didn't take time to worry about that. "You are right master, we need to leave! Please climb on and hold on tight! Don't worry, I've flown with a passenger many times. Please do not will me into another imagined form while we are in flight!"

He continued to calm himself with one other thought. He looked quite amazed when he saw my transformation. Perhaps he will allow me to help him do something good. This might turn out for the best. I hope so!

[Demitri]

Demitri was taken aback at the rather forwardness of this being he's only just met. His mind raced through all the possible effects that could arise from accepting the offered ride. Everything from falling to his death even after being assured sure would not happen to the possibly thrilling experience of flying with a dragon.

The sound of soldiers cresting the hill just before the entrance to the garden snapped his mind back to reality. He didn't have much of a choice really. At least none that he was terribly comfortable with.

With a hard swallow he groaned, whimpered, and climbed onto the dragon, bracing himself for whatever might come next.

[Syos]

Syos had already realized that he had a lot to feel guilty about. He had decided that in order to break the cycle and begin to mend things, he first had to get somewhere safe and quiet where he could clear his mind of panic and explain everything to Demitri. He was glad when the kittora/kitsune climbed onto his back without arguing. Hearing the swallow, groan, and whimper added to his guilt, but with much effort, he temporarily forced the guilt aside.

Fortunately, Syos really was an experienced flyer who had given many aerial rides. After taking a moment to analyze the details of his dragon form such as the wing span and leg design, he carefully took off at an angle that made it easy for Demitri to avoid falling off. At first, he flew slowly so that his wings wouldn't generate enough wind to harm the town. Once he was high enough though, he gradually increased his speed. He was being careful to make sure Demitri would find it easy to stay on as they headed skyward to soar among the clouds. He angled his flight toward a mountain range that was several miles away since it looked like a safe place.

Some of the people who were scared of Syos became amazed instead when they saw him in flight. They gasped at the sight of the creature who was mightier than an elephant flying with more grace than an eagle while his scales shone with the beauty of a dove's feathers, a firefly's light, and a stained glass window's artistry all rolled into one.

[Demitri]

Demitri clung as tightly as he dared and shut his eyes just as tightly as the dragon became airborne. After the sounds of the frightened and shocked townsfolk faded and was replaced by only the rush of the wind as it passed his ears, he dared to relax an eye just enough to peek at the view below. As soon as he did so, however, he instantly regretted it as his tails poofed out at the sight of just how far away the ground was.

He tightened his grip once again and resolved not to open his eyes again till they were safely on the ground again.

[Syos]

It didn't take long to reach the mountain range. Syos had turned his head and seen how scared Demitri was, so he decided not to land too high up in the mountains. Instead, he landed on a grassy foothill near the mountains. He then got down low on the ground so that the scholar could easily dismount.

The foothills were surrounded by beautiful scenery. Majestic mountains on one side, a lush forest on the other. The benefactor and kittora/kitsune were high enough to see the tops of the trees and have a clear view of a clear river flowing down from a mountain spring to flow through the forest.

"We're safe, master," said the dragon in a tone of voice that was already beginning to crack with grief. With the danger behind, his guilt was rapidly returning. "I have much to explain and much to apologize for. Please let me start by saying that I am horribly sorry for the fear and shock that my recklessness has caused you and the other townsfolk!" He tried to go on, but he was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. "I... I... I'm so sorry!" His draconic face had a look of tremendous contrition. It was making him utterly miserable. His wings and tail drooped with sadness that was too heavy for even a creature of such strength to bear.

[Demitri]

Once he felt they had stopped, demitri opened his eyes, he exhaled with relief as he quickly hopped down onto the ground. He glanced around at the surrounding scenery but was still too frazzled from the day's events to enjoy it.

Hearing Syos' voice again, he spun back around to face the dragon and shook his head, waving a dismissive hand.

"Don't worry about it. Towns and villages around here have been through far worse than a few trampled flowers that will grow right back in a week or so. In all likelihood those who did see you will be though of as simple drunkards. Before long they won't even remember, themselves, what they saw for sure."

[Syos]

Syos did not take Demitri's claim that the people who saw him would be taken as drunkards as good news. Quite the opposite, he began sniffling with guilt because he thought he might have ruined some people's lives. He desperately hoped that they really wouldn't remember for sure what they saw and that their lives would get back to normal quickly.

With great effort, the benefactor kept speaking. "I guess I should explain everything before I make a bigger mess of things." He sighed heavily, then continued in a sad tone of voice. "Let me start over from the beginning. My name is Syos. I am a benefactor; a being made of living, tangible imagination. Once I have chosen a temporary master, that person can imagine me into whatever form he or she wants, within certainly limitations."

The amount of sadness in his eyes and voice increased as he continued. "I'm sorry about being so distraught. What happened was..." He sighed again and took a moment to compose himself before continuing. "I was having fun with my best friend's daughter, Amy. Her people, the humans have a legend their ancestors brought with them from the human home world. It's about creatures called unicorns that supposedly have the power to teleport once a day. We decided it would be fun to see if I could teleport when in the form of a unicorn."

It was getting more and more difficult for him to continue. "Something went wrong when I tried to teleport. I ended up in this world. My friends and family are probably worried sick about me. Amy is just a little girl. Seeing me disappear and not reappear like that might have caused her enough trauma to scar her for life!"

His voice began cracking very badly. "The benefactor race exists to be humble servants and helpers. When I am distraught, the only thing that can cheer me up is serving and helping others. This event made me more distraught than I have ever been in my life. In desperation, I looked to the first person I saw, and spoke the sentence to bind me as your servant for at least an hour so that you could imagine me into any form you wanted your servant to have. Yet, I was reckless and made a total mess of things! I'm so sorry! Thank you for trying to be reassuring. I really thank you for that, but..." The dragon was lying on his belly while his head and all of his limbs drooped onto the ground. He looked miserable.

[Demitri]

Demitri felt bad for Syos, having had so much happen to him in such a brutally short period of time. He thought about what he said and nodded before answering.

"I'm sorry to hear just how much you'd had to go through but you really shouldn't let yourself be burdened with such guilt. Things could have been much worse."

He sat down, cross legged, on the grass and gave the dragon a reassuring pat on the fore-paw.

"You said yourself that she was only a little girl. Imagine what might have happened had she been with you when you tried to teleport. She might have been sepperrated from you and have appeared in some other world where you couldn't find her, let alone protect her, and she'd then be alone and without you or her family. She might be distraught now but she has her friends and family to comfort her until she recovers from her sorrow over losing you."

He tried to smile to further offer comfort to Syos.

"By the way. You can call me Demitri."

[Syos]

Syos's mood improved, though he was still quite sad. "Thank you, Master Demitri. You are right, perhaps I am jumping to conclusions. I thank you for your kind words, and for the reassuring paw pat." The dragon swished his tail to show that some of the burden had been lifted off of him and he had a little more energy.

"As I said before, the only thing that can really cheer me up when I am distraught is to serve and help others. Please my master, command me. Tell me how I may serve and aid you. Remember, you may change me into whatever you think is best suited to your service. Just imagine the form you want me to have while willing it to be so. The maximum power of a form depends on how vivid, detailed, and creative you get while imagining it." The benefactor's tone of voice was very hopeful as he asked to be commanded. He really hoped that the kittora/kitsune would tell him to do something.