Private Tales Silver Goddess of the Stars and… Meepo the Magnificent?

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer

Bassel

Brave Bastard
Member
Messages
50
Character Biography
Link
BA2AEEBA-F7AE-46AE-BB87-480E1795C1C3.png
[art cred]

The song of birds could be heard before the sun had even began to rise. Despite the early spring chill, small woodland creatures that resided in the winter-like depths of The Spine were out and about, already working on foraging for the day. White colored pine martens were dashing along the sparse underbrush and tall yellow grass while a a trio of ravens were fighting one another over something that may or may not have been food. Rabbit steps were muffled by the layer of snow that had settled about on the ground and foxes were just starting to return to their dens, some with prey tightly clenched between their jaws and others that would have to search elsewhere for their dinner. A stray owl cooed before it got ready to nestle inside it’s home for the day.

Lyra normally would have been asleep, she should have been asleep. She had become quite the nocturnal lady, both conotatively and denotatively speaking, and was a true night owl now. When the sun began to peek out from the tall buildings of Alliria, she was often in her bed— often not alone— snoozing away and dreaming of whatever normal woman would dream up of: revenge. Fire and revenge, blood and revenge, redemption and revenge. One could never guess what horrors lay beyond her sweet sleeping face, or if they did guess, it would ruin the image they had of Lily-white Lyra, the Lively Lady of Lilac Lounge. Yes, all that alliteration was completely and truly necessary. Especially for someone of Lyra’s renown.

Lyra had quickly become the loveliest and brightest flower to ever grace the lucrative escort business that had grown to fame. All of their establishments dealt with flowers(Lilac Lounge, Peony Parlor, Tiger Lily Teahouse), and the high-value escorts inside were truly a delight to partake in, and often given names belonging to beautiful blooms. Lyra herself had been given the title of Lily-white due to her hair and fair complexion, and because of her deep vocals and popularity, no one found reason to change her name. Which she was happy about. Some of the names of her fellow dancers made her want to roll her eyes: marigold, wisteria, rose, primrose, lily, aster, daisy, buttercup— barf.

The dragon shifter had always wanted to stand out. She demanded it, really. She’d do whatever it took for all eyes to be on her— woman or man or whatever creature that had enough coin to step inside the lovely establishments, Lyra made sure that their focus was on her. Whether through her dance, her songs, the way she laughed or flitted about. All eyes had to be on her. Of course, naturally, that was just the way world worked. Something about Lyra was completely ethereal, otherworldly by all accounts. She seemed soft yet strong, kind yet brutal, happy yet sad— a true amalgamation of all that was the sweet sublime, the aura of danger always about her no matter how gentle she smiled at someone.

And it made her completely popular. So popular that she was leaving Lilac Lounge to join the more popular location, the very first of the Sweet Pleasures franchise: Buddleja Bordello. Lyra was already planning how she would be popular there, and so she had been up all night, locked away in a carriage because really, they couldn’t afford to have such priceless merchandise escape. Not that Lyra wanted to escape. She wanted to stay in this carriage, to make a grand entrance at Buddleja Bordello, and finally come face to face with the man that ruined her life many, many years ago. A twisted smile appeared as she looked outside, seeing the sky slowly turning pink and lavender as the sun was finally rising up. Just ahead was a small cluster of buildings, another “town” that had formed due to this road being popular. It would only be made up of inns and a few other businesses, a resting point for travelers and hunters alike.

Lyra couldn’t wait to stretch her legs.
 
  • Smug
Reactions: Meepo
As she sat there, basking in her plans, she would hear a faint whistling sound, then.. a thud? From where the driver was? Followed by a second thud, then a third. The carriage would suddenly stop and she could hear the voice of Ector, her escort for her transfer yell something out, but it was cut short, followed by a spray of blood that coated the side side of the carriage she had been sitting on, thankfully not coating her.
_____________________________________________

Today was a great day, perfect for another GRAND ADVENTURE! How was it perfect? Because it. Was. Magnificent. Like Meepo, of course, and he was singing one of Skinks newest songs.

He bounced in his perfect saddle as Beowoof pounded along the road. His magnificent voice, carrying the magnificent song, with the most magnificent tune. "Maybe you needs some restoration, and feelins some vexation! Or maybe you can't stand longer, you got to be much strongerrr!" He howled through the notes, Beowoof even throwing in a howl or two as both tails flicked in unison.

"Whens you get that feelings, you wants magics healin-owooo!" Anofher brief howl. "Magi-" a scream off in the distance cut through his own singing. Danger. The time for singing could wait, it was time for...

¡¡¡¡THE ADVENTURES OF MEEPO THE MAGNIFICENT AND BEOWOOF THE QUICK!!!!

Tiny heels dug into tiny sides and Beowoof raced into action. Armor clanged in majestic fashion as Meepo and Beowoof charged to the aid of what appeared to be a carriage... and SCOUNDRELS?!?

The titan of the Knights of Anathaeum would stand in his saddle as he drew his blade. "Make way villainy! Meepo coming throu-woooo!" He howled forth his challenge and the first would-be attack he came across would feel the swiftest death he had ever known as Meepo swung his mighty blade.

Now it was time for the scoundrels to know fear! Meepo would leap from the back of Beowoof, flipping several times in the air, before landing before the largest group of them.. there had to be dozens!

The leaders head tilted. "The hell is tha-" he would be cut off as Meepo barked his order to them..

"Jump on my sword while you can, evil! I will not be so gentle!" Meepo would hop forward and just like that, dozens landed on his blade, they wished the merciful death. The remaining six could only be so lucky.

A streak of silver and floof came racing from the sides as one of the men began to laugh. Meepo pointed him out. "I wants the eyeses, Beowoof! Take his eyeses!" The laughter turned to screaming as Beowoof bit down on the mans ankle and tugged, ripping a tendon free before the man collapsed, shrieking, which was only silenced as Beowoof dove for the face.

Meepo would then charge. "Buttkicking! For goodness!"
 
  • Haha
  • Smug
Reactions: Bassel and Helena
Lyra froze, not from fear— well, there was a part of her that was afraid of what was going on moreso than fear for her safety— listening intently. Her long, pointed ears actually did quite a good job in picking up sound and with a moment to figure out that whatever was going on outside was not good, and she needed to get undressed right now.

Not because she was planning on wooing her attackers with her body but because she was rather fond of this dress and her gold heels and her stockings and— yes, she didn’t want her clothes get them ruined. It was satin and silk for Kress’ sake! And it fit her exactly how she wanted.

The moment she was in nothing she opened the door of her carriage, her blue topaz eyes blazing in fury. Who dare ruin her plan? She would show them right now that just because you saw a fancy carriage along the road didn’t mean you had to attack it! Imbeciles. Human imbeciles.

A few of the men gawked at her before giving her a cringey lascivious look, but the majority of them seemed to be laughing at a dog and… Lyra wrinkled her nose. What was that little lizard creature doing?

“Think you might wanna step back inside, lass.” One of the bandits said, still leering at her as if he had never seen a gorgeous woman before. Well, it was to only be expected, Lyra’s beauty was unmatched, whether as a human or as a dragon. She couldn’t blame him she supposed, for looking at least, but she could blame him for having a horrible Monday morning.

Stop this now or else.” Lyra demanded, crossing her arms over her bare chest. The man opened his mouth to say something but then a scream from the group of men that surrounded the kobold knight. It seemed one of the bandits was getting attacked by a dog. Oh boy. So she was getting attacked by lame bandits? She couldn’t be attacked by big-league bandits that probably would’ve just kicked the corgi away?
She raised a white brow curiously as a sword was pointed at her.

“I’d hate to hurt a lovely lady like yerself so get. Back. Inside.” The bandit tried again, and this time he had three men behind him. Ooh, look how serious they were! Lyra couldn’t help but laugh, a hearty sound that came from deep within her core.

Oh, you fools.” Lyra wheezed out. “Please. Try to do your worse!” And without hesitation she leapt from the carriage, a leap far too great for even the strongest human to even try and accomplish, and with a fanciful flip, silver light began emitting from her.

A second later and Lyra was no longer the lovely exotic dancer she once was before. Instead, she had turned into her true form: a grandiose silver dragon.

Meepo
 
  • Cthuulove
Reactions: Meepo
The first bandit turned to swing at Beowoof, but there was a reason they called him 'the Quick'. The fur missile would hop away, causing the blade to sink into the already mostly dead bandit and making him real dead.

At his dodge, Meepo leapt between two of the bandits, dodging their slashes and getting a full-screen view of their fear. "Evil, meet Meepo's sword! Sword! Meet! Evil!" His first aerial swing would slice through the bandits gorget and sever his throat. Landing quickly, he would use the fresh corpses descent to cover his positioning then swing again, slicing through the back of the other bandits knees. He screamed as he fell.

The fourth bandit would poise to strike Syr Meepo from behind, but not on Beowoofs noble watch! The gargantuan, yet Quick, war hound would dart between the legs of that first bandit and charge the fourth, leaping over his rider in the most majestic corgi jump ever to be witnessed. Meepo would look up as Beowoof sailed overhead, ramming bandit four right. In. The. Nuggets.

Meepo would fling his sword at bandit one, and the man looked surprised as the kobolds mighty blade sunk into his chest and he collapsed. As he turned, bandit four was already doubling over from the impact that was so hard it could change a gender. "Feel the backhand... of justice!" Meepo howled as back of gauntlet collided with exposed head, knocking him out.

The remaining survivor would take the cowards way and fled! Beowoof would race off in hot pursuit.

Lyra
 
  • Ctuhlu senpai
Reactions: Bassel
It was nice having a much larger, much stronger, much grander form. The moment Lyra landed on the snow-covered ground, her natural body heat began melting it. Her silver claws had steam rising through them and when her ethereal, crystalline blue eyes looked over at her attackers, she heard it. That lizard creature. Shouting. Shouting about his sword, shouting about evil, and shouting about justice. What was he, some sort of knight?

Well Lyra was no damsel in distress, at least, not when she didn’t want to be. Without another moment to waste, Lyra’s tail whipped out, knocking down her little group of seedy bandits. When they fell to the floor, she did what any dragon would do to a being so inferior to them: she stepped on them as if they were ants. It felt like she had squished an overripe blueberry between her fingers. When she lifted up one large and scaly foot to see the damage done, one of her eyes twitched.

She had forgotten how much viscera and gristle and guts and gore and blood was left behind when she stomped on something. Next time she really should do something more graceful. A few more stomps and swipes of her tail and it seemed that all the bandits were indeed dead. Unless some had escaped then they were still alive but that was fine. Lyra didn’t care if they were all dead, she just wanted some to be punished.

Bipedal lizard boy.” Lyra said. “And… dog-thing.” Despite trying to speak quietly, her voice still bellowed out from her jaws. “Come here. Now.” She had a few questions for the strange little knight. And needed to see if there was anyway she could mend her journey now that the men escorting her also seemed to be dead. How was she ever to arrive at Bordello and keep her appearance now?

Meepo
 
  • Cthuulove
Reactions: Meepo
The coward was quick, but the furry justice of Beowoof was much quicker and the man yelped as he felt said fuzzy maw tore at his flesh. In seconds, he would join his friends in the loving embrace of punishment.

All the stinking evil had gotten its butt-kicking and now lie exhausted from their dealings with...

¡¡¡¡¡MEEPO THE MAGNIFICENT AND BEOWOOF THE QUICK!!!!

Meepo would let out a heroic howl, a sign that the battle had come to end, with his blade raised overhead. Beowoof would join with a howl of his own, to signal he too had known victory. At the completion of the howl, Meepo would drive his sword into the snow and then the earth, cleaning the blade.

Then he heard a deeper voice call out to him and he would turn, Beowoof trotting to his side. Glittering scales... haunting blue crystalline eyes... majestic wings, and a powerful tail.. Meepo had naturally known many great loves in his venerable life, but all seemed to pale in comparison to now.

when he realized she had summoned his presence, he would hurry to her side. "Meepo stands ready to serve, Lady Dragon!" He would howl with a bow.
 
  • Smug
Reactions: Bassel
A hmm rumbled throughout Lyra’s lengthy body as she then regarded him, cooly, unimpressed. His dog. Him. His armor. His sword. What the heck was he?

What are you? Some lizard man?” She huffed, shaking her head, the cool air singing and sizzling from her heat. “Or did a dragon fuck a human and got you? What’s your name?” She asked as well, not realizes that when he said Meepo he meant his own name. Because really, who would have the name Meepo?

Meep-OH? MEE-poe? Meep meep meep. It sounded like a joke.

And really, she didn’t like having to look down at him, it strained her eyes. A shimmer and a flash of magic and Lyra was in her less glamorous human form, completely naked as she placed her hands on her wide hips and leaned over so she could get a better look at Meepo and Beowoof.

Are you supposed to be some sort of knight?” She asked dubiously.

Meepo
 
  • Love
Reactions: Meepo
"Meepo is descended from dragons!" Meepo declared boldly, his chest puffing out even as he spoke. "Great Gold Dragon Artorias." He would gesture to his trusty hound. "Beowoof.." then himself. "MEEPO...THE MAGNIFICENT!!" followed by the most heroic howl he could muster. It was so heroic, it would inspire not only Beowoof, but a distant pack of wolves to join in.

And then the lady shifted.. her majestic form shrinking down to an... Elven size. His little reptillian jaw dropped as he stared at her.. she. was.. perfection..

Beowoof would turn away nobly, as Meepo drove his blade into the earth and took a knee before her. "I am Syr Meepo, of the Knights of Anathaeum.. ever at your service, my lady..." he would wait, allowing her to answer.
 
  • Aww
Reactions: Bassel
Ah. Descended from dragons, was he? Lyra supposed that made sense, after all, he was reptilian but he had that edge that many dragons had: must have been the horns if anything else. It’s just that, well, dragons were so big and Meepo was so small. How earth did he earn the title Meepo the Magnificent? She was quiet as Meepo spoke, her eyes cooly regarding him. Lyra was first and foremost a people person. She understood body language and micro-expressions more than many would give her credit for.

To her current knowledge, everything Meepo said he believed to be true. He wasn’t lying.

Lyra.” She would answer first before crouching down, balancing all of her weight on her feet, her knees up and covering her chest as she peered into Meepo’s eyes that were indeed reminiscent of a dragon. “You can call me Lyra. I had no idea you were a knight… or that there was a… what did you call them? Big gold dragon Astorias.” She tilted her head. “I’ve also never heard of the knights of Anathaeum either but that sort of stuff doesn’t interest me in the first place.

Meepo
 
Last edited:
Meepo would stare at Lyra respectfully, his gaze averted (for the most part) at her fine curves and pure beauty. He was smitten, but he would never admit. Not openly, not now.

"Lady Lyra." He would say with a deep bow. "Silver Goddess of the skies." He would muse. "Weesa an order of Knights that defend the Vale. Though weesa travel far and wide... to dispense liberal helpings of Justice in good measure!" He would howl excitedly.

"It appears your attackers didn't even spare the horses. So weesa escort you wherever you were headed!" He looked up at her expectantly.

Beowoof would return to their side, a riding cloak packed upon his back that he had wrangled from the carriage. Meepo would hop atop Beowoof, maintaining eye contact with Lyra, before he flipped out the cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders in such a way that it would cover her exposed breasts. "Weesa also find you new clothes!"

Lyra
 
  • Ctuhlu senpai
Reactions: Bassel
Lyra’s lips quirked up into a smirk at the title Meepo had just given her. Silver Goddess of the skies? Yes, she quite liked that a lot. It suited her. For she was a silver goddess and dragons should rule the skies. They used to at least. Lyra looked around then, her smirk faltering into a slight frown. What an unexpected disaster this was. A plan that had been foiled due to some lowly group of bandits.

In her thoughts, a new plan was forming. She watched Meepo as he got on top of Beowoof’s back to then throw over that cloak around her shoulders.

Why, you’re such a gentleman,” she purred, “a very good knight indeed. A true knight in shining armor.” The plan that was only just starting to sprout had now grown into something that was in full bloom. She stood up, placing a hand onto the top of Meepo’s helm. His armor wasn’t exactly shinning, at least not the way Lyra’s scales did, but she could ignore that for now. And the strange way he spoke.

I do need a escort,” Lyra said slowly, “you’ll protect me at least to the nearest town over there.” She pointed at the top of the hill before them, a mile or two away from the cluster of buildings peeking out over the frosty terrain.

Oh. But I do have clothes you know,” she added, heading back over to the carriage she had been in. “I just don’t like wearing them, my brave knight.” A flirtatious wink before she opened the door, finding her discarded clothing items. She dressed quickly before sauntering back to, a breeze blowing against her thin turquoise and gold garments, a pair of heels strapped to her feet.

Needless to say, Lyra looked incredibly ridiculous.

Meepo
 
  • Love
Reactions: Meepo
Meepo would have a toothy grin as she praised his heroism, his tail flicking back and forth in happiness. He was a good knight, he wasn't a great knight, he had yet to exterminate a true scourge from the land.

An escort? He could do that! "Syr's Meepo and Beowoof, at your service!" He howled. "We can do that!"

He would hop down from Beowoof as she headed back to the carriage, his reptilian gaze focused on her every movement. His heart was beating quickly, the first it hadn't done so for justice.

She flirted, his heart beat quicker, she winked, his heart worked triple time. She returned back to his side with that saunter, and his jaw dropped.

Lyra
 
If there was any way to win Lyra over it was through money, acts of service, gifts, compliments and worshipping her. Of course, Lyra could say the only thing she loved was winning and gold. There had never been another to receive such a passionate emotion from her other than her clan, and really, even then it was mostly just her father and mother who had been truly loved by Lyra. Now more than ever, even and they were dead.

Needless to say, Lyra thought love was a trivial, flimsy thing for mortals around her. They would get married and say vows that were to be everlasting only for one or both of them to cheat on one another. A mother would say she loved her children equally, only to choose a favorite among them. Love was treacherous. In that regard, Lyra much preferred hate. At least it was consistent.

Lyra fashioned Meepo’s cloak around her shoulders, if only for some decorum of modesty. It smelled like the opposite of herself: no sweet floral or burnt vanilla. There was a murkiness that at first tickled her nose but she soon got used to. And if anything, it was comforting.

She looked down at the kobold. The innocent, naive expression on his face. Yes, there was lust there. But something else. Something she had only witnessed a few times before. What was it? She knew there was a word for it… oh, if only she could remember.

Syr Meepo, and… Beowoof. Let’s be on our way.” The dragon princess said resolutely, her blue topaz gaze staring straight ahead at the town just as she began to march off in that direction.

Meepo
 
  • Love
Reactions: Meepo
At her word to continue on, Beowoof would walk on one side of her and Meepo would take the other. "As you say, my silver goddess!" He howled excitedly.

Most Kobolds worshipped dragons they seldomly interacted with. Not Meepo. Artorias he knew personally, was related to (at least in his mind), and now Lyra. She was so close he could touch her. And she needed his services.

So, they marched onward. As they trouped, Meepo would once more take up his song as he walked along, his tail flicking side to side in unison with Beowoofs.

"Maybe you needs some restoration, and feelins some vexation! Or maybe you can't stand longer, you got to be much strongerrr!" He howled through the notes, Beowoof would add a single bark and join the howl when Meepo did it.

"Whens you get that feelings, you wants magics healin-owooo!" Anofher brief howl. "Magical healing, oh yeah. Makes you feel so fine!" A longer howl. As far as Kobolds go, he had a rather talented voice.

Lyra
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Bassel
Lyra could get used to being called a goddess. A rather smug yet delighted look would brighten up her features as she sashayed into the town, her chin raised high with her back utterly straight despite the sinuous flow of her wide hips. She listened to Meepo’s… song… and frowned. His howls were, well, Lyra didn’t know how else to describe them without using the word obnoxious. Obnoxiously loud. Obnoxiously long. Just obnoxious in general.

If she wanted a husky she would have had one long ago. But huskies made more noise than a chihuahua when frightened. Howling, barking, huffing, growling? The other sex workers did that plenty enough already, no need to have a dog— which was essentially the ultimate sugar baby as far as Lyra was concerned— to add to such dreary noises.

Meepo. Perhaps you should let me sing?” She said, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. The trick to this was to smile. As long as you smiled, no matter what you said came out rude. It was practically a industry secret. Besides, Lyra prided herself on her voice— among many, many, many other things.

Meepo
 
  • Stressed
Reactions: Meepo
Whether she noticed it or not, her sashaying would align with Beowoof and Meepo's trot, making the three nearly perfect in synch. It was like the perfect trio, the start of the happiest of families. He was already an uncle dozens of times over, and though it may have been believed he had some hatchlings out there, it was never really known. Meepo was married to Knighthood and his pursuit... of Justice.

So, as far as the Knight was concerned there wasn't a thing alive that could rain on his parade and when she spoke up about his singing, she was clearly just concerned about the longevity of his voice. So he looked up to her and did a quick hop with a howl of appreciation. "Okay! Let's see what you can dooooooo!"

She looked like a woman with a beautiful voice and he could only wait for whatever beauty escaped from her lips.

Lyra
 
  • Smug
Reactions: Bassel
A rather haughty look came upon Lyra’s beautiful face as she swept her pale hair dramatically over one petite shoulder. She cleared her throat, moreso for effect than anything else as her superb dragon’s throat never got dry, and raised her chin up high. There were so many songs that she knew, and really, it was almost hard to choose what exactly to sing. It had to be impressive after all, Meepo should realize who had the better voice. (Spoiler alert, it was her.)

Let's have some fun, this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick, Let's have some fun, this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick, I wanna kiss you, But if I do, then I might miss you, babe, It's complicated and stupid, Got my ass squeezed by sexy Cupid, Guess he wants to play, wants to play, A LoveGame, a LoveGame, Hold me and love me, Just wanna touch you for a minute, Maybe three seconds is enough for my heart to quit it.

There amazing. She had killed it once again, as always. After all, she was Lyra! True to her name she had a mellifluous and dulcet voice.

Meepo
 
  • Cthuulove
Reactions: Meepo
Meepo would sigh wistfully as she began to prepare herself for the singing. He enjoyed each movement in her body, each angle, each inch worthy of admiration, nay worship. In fact it was those distracting thoughts that made him slow on realizing what she was singing.

But when he did... oh boy.

His little reptilian jaw would drop in awe, not only at the beautiful sound of the voice, but the words. He couldn't believe them. She wanted to ride him? To kiss him? Touch him? She was forward. Very forward. Whatever she was going for, she nailed it.

So what did this brazen little Kobold do? He took her hand as they walked. And he offered her a toothy grin. She was singing and he was going to enjoy every second or it.

Lyra
 
  • Ctuhlu senpai
Reactions: Bassel
As a woman of the night there wasn’t much that Lyra hadn’t experienced. Sure she had experienced tender hands or rough hands or hands that were both. She had performed tricks like a acrobatic performer or played songs and sung melodies that could only be heard on the stages she stood on. Sweet words, naughty words, or sentences that were just grating to her long pointed ears? She had heard them all.

Hand holding though? Well, sure she had held hands plenty of times before but this time was different. The biggest difference that when Meepo held her hand he did nothing to lead it down to his crotch. Also, that toothy grin and genuine glint of glee in his eyes? Innocent. This… hand holding… was pure.

Purer than Lyra ever was.

And so she blushed, her song soon trailing off and being silent, the only thing that could be heard was her, Meepo and his mutt trampling through the snow.

“Is this some sort of small lizard person tradition? To hold hands while they walk? How strange.” She said, haughty as ever, but also as a way to mask the fact that somehow, someway, in her stomach, butterflies seemed to be forming.

Meepo
 
  • Cthuulove
Reactions: Meepo
Meepo had no idea what she was, or what she had done. All he knew was the beauty at his side, the music of her voice, every angelic curve. Breathtaking. All of it.

He may not have visited the whore houses, but he drove a succubus to madness with touch alone. Turned her own lust into a weapon against her. It had been a few years since that event and he had spared her, he just knew she was somewhere in the Spine.

He had held this goddesses hand and his reward was a color rivaling his own, now adorning her cheeks. That was all he needed. She continued to sing and he fought the urge to howl to the heavens. In time the song faded and they walked in silence, or as much silence as Meepo would allow as he quickly began to hum a tune.

He paused when she spoke. "Just for us!" He yowled in excitement, adding a hop to accentuate the point: she was special.

Lyra
 
  • Cthuulove
Reactions: Bassel
Just for us? Lyra wasn’t sure if Meepo meant it was just for lizard people, or if he meant it as only for him and Lyra. However his hop and brief words made her think that it was the latter rather than the former. What a naive man. What a genuine man. She leaned down and over a bit as they walked, angling her head just so so that way the kobold knight could gaze into her eyes that much easier.

“If it’s just for us then if I see you holding hands with another woman I have every right to chop off your head and hang it over my future fireplace.” It was a tease, but there was no denying the twinge of honest jealousy that peaked through. Her sweet smile and even sweeter tone were meant to disguise such a thing, but as she squeezed his hand it was evident that Lyra fully expected to follow through on her promise.

“You can keep humming if you like. We’re almost to the town.” Lyra’s eyes narrowed, considering what their story would need to be and how much information Meepo was likely to give. Needless to say the moment they entered the town Lyra was certain all eyes would be on her.

Meepo