For love is just an illusion,
A reflection in the glass,
Like all the good in this evil world
We know it'll never last...
~Anonymous

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Owner Name:
Deryn SharpName:Apollo
I chose the name Apollo because to me, he makes
me think of Apollo, the god of the sun, poetry,
and prophecy. Also, because Apollo is the god of
the sun,I thought it was fitting that he came from
the desert. Of course, his name has many translations,
such as Ra, Helios, etc., but I like this version best.Gender: MalePersonality:Apollo is quite mischievous. He is a Rune
which will hide in your slippers, create mirages of
strange objects in your house, from horses to
waterfalls. He likes to play tricks on the other
Runes, though he never means any harm. In the
oast, I think my house has been a forest, a desert,
a haunted house...he has a wide array of illusions,
which leads me to be he is also creatie and
imaginative. Apollo is also rather shy; I don't
think he's revealed his mask to anyone but me so
far. Often times, he is nervous around other
animals, especially canines,
probably because they can see him and perceive
his illusions. He is also a bit protective, he won't
let anyone or anything hurt the people he loves
and cares about. Like when Sapphire took a tumble
off of the chine cabinet, he swooped in to save her!
I think she tried to insist she didn't need saving, but
he was far too please with himself to notice.
Why do you wish to have him/her:
The mystery behind this rune drew me to him, to be honest. I wanted to learn more about him, and about his mirages and his powers. Mirages fascinate me, to be truthful, since for the longest period of time, I lived in Arizona, and on hot days, it appears there's water in the distance, sometimes people...I also love his design, to be truthful! That tail...you outdid yourself, Bridge! I especially love that you gave him a mask, representing the mystery of the rune, of how he uses his powers to diguise himself and his surroundings. Well done! Also, Halloween is coming up, my favorite holiday, and Apollo reminds me of how people wear costumes and disguise themselves. He really is now one of my favorite Runes. You did a really wonderful job on him! Kudos to the one who wins him!
Where will you keep him/her:
My character thread! I have a special spot ready for him :3 He'll most certainly be drawn, and star in short stories. My friend I ᶫᵒᵛᵉᵧₒᵤ Ian ♥ and I are going to create a story about our Runes going trick or treating together!
Would you like to breed him/her in the future:
I'd love to see some of his hatchlings, but he will be rather picky. I HAVE noticed he seems to fancy one certain lady Rune, but I'm not naming who. Poor rune's falling head over heels for her.
Any Quirks:
-Unfortunately, Apollo loves to take fruit and food from Sapphire, earning him the cold shoulder from her for a few days. She always gets over it and forgives him eventually, though.
-Apollo also has the annoying habit of taking on the illusion of human beings. He almost gave me a heart attack when he morphed into an unknown figure and walked into the living room. Thank the heavens he showed his true form before I called the police.
-The lights that float around him tend to grow brighter whenever he feels a strong emotion. This happened when he found out that Sapphire had stolen his paint set. I don't think it was a coincidence that the next day, all of Sapphire's favorite fruits disappeared...
-He has a tendency to steal things that tickle his fancy. Many a time I've found teacups and silverware from the next door neighbors, who always leave their back door open. It wasn't easy, trying to explain what happened, when Apollo had taken on the illusion of a little four-year old and was innocently looking at the neighbors.
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Other:
"I'm in search of a mysterious rune known to cause fascinating hallucinations and mirages. I tried to dismiss it as a rumor, but it kept nudging me at the back of my thoughts until I couldn't take it anymore. So with Sapphire in tow, I left my lovely London home in search of an illusion.
~ Deryn"
I closed my journal and pulled my goggles up onto my forehead, and wiped the sweat off my brow. I had just arrived in Cairo, the heart of the ancient deserts of Eldamore. I looked over at Sapphire, who was sunning herself on the second hump of the camel. Yes, a camel, it was no party riding here on that crazy creature. It kept trying to turn around and chew on Sapphire! I tapped it with my heels impatiently as it turned to grab Sapphire again.
"You blimey camel! Sapphire, don't tease it so." I said.
My Rune opened one eye reproachfully, and closed it again, oblivious to my pleading tone. I glowered at her.
"Stubborn Rune." I said, trying to scowl, but ended up smiling.
I truly did love her so, even if she was a royal pain at times. I pushed the camel onwards down the dusty streets of Cairo, trying to ignore the shiny baubles and exotic products laid out on display. Sapphire had gotten up and watched them with a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. I smiled and tossed a coin to a vendor, and he laughed, picking up a trinket and throwing it back. It was a glass bead the shape of a star on a bit of wire, and I hooked it on Sapphire's horn, grinning. She blinked happily at me and set to the task of playing with it as much as possible. I turned forward and groaned as my camel chewed on someone’s backpack.
"Sorry!" I called, urging it into a brisk trot as the man cursed and fingered the chewed bag. Shuddering, I pulled out my journal as the camel slowed into a rocking gait, leading us into the desert and out of Cairo.
I huffed and puffed in the heat, sweltering under the hot sun. It had been two days now, and I was boiling hot. Sapphire looked fine, probably because she could stay an even 60 degrees because of her dew. I sighed and looked forward through the haze.
"Huh?"
I said, turning as a flash of color tickled my vision. There, in front of me, was a gorgeous oasis, with cascading waterfalls, swaying palm trees heavy with dates, and soft, green grass. I licked my lips, thinking of how delicious fresh water would be instead of stale from the canteen. I urged the camel forward, and it grudgingly plodded ahead. I was almost there, so close, so close...and it disappeared! Seriously! There was a silvery flash of smoke, a puff of heat, and it vanished! I blinked and rubbed my eyes.
"Heat's gotten to me." I murmured, squinting.
Just hours later, I thought I saw a person in the distance, it looked an awful lot like...
"Mum!" I shouted, stumbling off the camel.
"How-what-why....who cares, Mum! You're here!" I said breathlessly. She smiled and hummed the tune I knew so well, one I hadn't heard since I was a kid....
"Hush, now, don't arise,
Close, your sleepy eyes,
When, you wake up, soon,
I’m, here to love you...
Shh, sleep, don't awake,
Dream of dreams in misty lakes,
When, you wake up, soon,
I'm, here to love you...
Sleep, now, do not cry,
The Runes will sing your lullaby,
When, you wake up, soon,
I'll be here to love you...."
Just as I was about to throw myself into her arms, there was another flash, and I fell into the hot sand. I sat up, whimpering.
"But why...." I choked out quietly. A strange, inhuman giggle pierced the silence, and I looked up sharply. Nothing.
"Weird." I muttered, getting up cautiously.
Sapphire darted after me, settling on my shoulder with concern. The bauble on her horn tinkled softly, and I petted her absentmindedly.
"Did you hear--" but I was cut off as a giant Drake appeared in the sky above us!
It let out a massive roar, and Sapphire squeaked, hiding in my bag. I was paralyzed with fear as it dove at us, jaws outstretched....and then disappeared. I looked up, confused. Where did it go? Sapphire looked up, and I could sense her confusion and frustration. She sat up, flicking her tail from side to side, like a cat. I stood quietly, watching her. I knew what she was doing. She was trying to look for any movement or telltale signs of someone else being here. With a swift pounce, she leaped onto the sand, pinning some invisible creature. It let out a soft warble, going up into a trill. I looked at her, shocked, as the creature turned into... a Rune Dragon! Sapphire let it up in surprise with a chirp. I was fascinated with the red-gold creature, especially its gaseous tail. It squeaked and with a twirl, transformed into Sapphire! Or what looked like Sapphire. My Rune reared up indignantly and flew at the imposter, even though he was larger. He leaned backwards in surprise, and turned invisible.
Sapphire landed in the sand with a thump, growling. I couldn't help but smile a little bit, taking out a piece of dried beef from my backpack. I dangled it in the air, and an invisible force latched onto it and plucked it from my grasp. I smiled, but just as I did, it flew up into my arms. The creature turned visible, and fixed its dark-eyed gaze on me. I realized that it was wearing a golden, sparkling mask, just before I saw my reflection in it. I can't quite describe what the sensation was like, only that it was foreign and entirely new. I saw... myself. As a child, listening to my mother sing, as a young girl, packing for London, as a current me, and blurry vision of what I thought was a future me....I realized with a fascinated pang that this Rune was showing me a very tiny part of my true self, my true thoughts and soul. I felt enlightened by this knowledge, and realized what a gift this Rune had given me.
"Thank you." I smiled. "Thank you very much."
It cocked its head at me, and, flicking one of its light antennae, created almost a fog of sorts, covering its face. I could still see it clearly, but its reflection was distorted, unclear...a protection ward of sorts, from seeing too deep into ones soul. Later, as we were heading home, I realized that it had been following us, watching us...I beckoned it up onto the carriage, smiling.
"Would you like a ride?" I grinned, and it hopped on, much to Sapphire's distaste.
We headed back to London, and he disappeared as soon as we arrived... I then found him later that night, though, raiding my pantry, much to Sapphire's horror. I guessed, from that moment on, that Apollo would be here to stay.
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Likes...
spicy foods-he loves foods with any kind of spice to them, whether it be flavorful or hot.
jerky-he LOVES the consistency of jerky, and sinking his teeth into it!
classical music-he likes classical music for some strange reason, much to Sapphire's amusement.
dancing(but not in front of others)-Apollo loves to dance, but he's far too shy to dance in front of others.
guitar music- he loves the soft, mellifluous twang of the guitar!
fruits-particularly figs, he likes the sweet seediness of fruits.
the desert- he loves playing among the sand dunes, gliding under the hot desert sun, walking down the crowded streets of the ancient cities of the deserts...
warm, sunny days-he likes the feeling of warmth upon his red, soft fur.
his mask-he prides himself on taking care of his mask, polishing it and keeping it clean
sunbathing-he likes to sunbathe, and I often find him sitting on my windowsill, fast asleep.
singing-Apollo doesn't sing like a human, his voice is more of a soft, keening noise, that drops down to silky, low notes or ascends to high, warbly notes.
writing songs- he likes creating songs to express his feelings or thoughts, or for the peoplehe cares about.
Dislikes:
swimming-he HATES getting wet.
rainy days-he hates that the sun isn't out on a rainy day!
sour foods- he doesn't like anything sour. It tastes quite foul to him.
preforming in front of others-he's rather shy, so preforming for others is out of the question.
revealing himself-he prefers to take on the guise of other runes, or drastically alters his appearance.
cities
Some information... wrote:Zodiac: Leo
Birthstone: Topaz
Age: undtermined
Favorite Song:
Too Close, Alex ClareColor: Orange. Not a harsh orange, more like a muted orange, or sunset orange
Favorite Holiday: Halloween! The one day of the year he gets to dress up and scare people! (well, is ALLOWED to scare people.)
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I put on the final touches of my costume paint on my face, and stuck the fuzzy black ears on my head. "Meow!" I chuckled and looked across the table at Apollo. He had been ready for hours, pacing impatiently. He hadn't understood why normal Runes and people spent so much time on their costume instead of creating one out of smoke light and magic! He had dressed himself as a ghost, and floated along spectrally. I couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down my spine; he did look like one of the restless undead. "Oh, Ancients." I groaned as I looked at my watch "People will be here already!" I fixed Sapphire's flower crown, which had tilted haphazardly to the side, and attached the fuzzy tail to my pants. Which a whistle, I beckoned Sapphire up onto my shoulder, and she fluttered up, excited. Apollo took flight and drifted eerily through the air, letting out a faint keening sound. "Blimey." I laughed "that's the best ghost costume I ever saw!" we walked down the stairs, into the main part of the house. People and runes alike were already huddling anxiously outside, whispering and chirping. I made a little motion to Apollo, and he fluttered up onto a high shelf, beginning to cloak the house in a mirage. "Good evening, ladies and gents!" I announced, standing on the doorstep "Welcome to this year's haunted house! I hope you find it rather spooky." I grinned. Just a few more moments, and Apollo shod be finished with the illusion..."at the end of the haunted house, there'll be a bowl of candy, so don't worry about not getting any sweet treats!" I laughed, and stepped aside, letting people come in "two at a time, please!" I stuck my head in to see how things were working out, and gasped. The little rune had actually made the rooms and halls bigger! There must have been magic afoot. I grinned at the scary decorations and eerie mist that drifted among the people. I looked up to him, where he was peering mischievously off the the shelf "Best.Halloween.Ever." I winked, and Sapphire chuckled from her perch on my shoulder, taking flight to go explore the haunted house. I knew this was going to be a frightening Halloween!
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thank ya, SilverKitsune! <3

a picture of him, proposing to...well, I can't reveal it yet! I'll reveal it on Halloween :3
Journal Notes wrote:
If you can't read the words on the picture, I put the words down her, and a little extra!
Size:
-He's about the size of a medium-sized dog; not a Rune you can carry on your shoulder or in your pocket.
-Only weighs about 15 pounds, rather light, which must help him fly.
Wingspan:
-His wingspan is about 5 feet, maybe a little less
-A delicate, aerodynamic build
-Silky wings with golden markings
Physical Traits:
-His rune glimmers and sparkles in the light; I can only wonder what magic it holds...it's the same color as the mask.
-The lights on his tail shine with an unearthly glow
-Keeps a thin misty veil over his mask to hide his reflection
-The most remarkable thing about him is that mask...was he born with it, or did he find it? I wonder...
~Deryn
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Makes me think of Apollo :3
it's his second favorite song!
Illusion"I ain't no fake Houdini
I put a spell on you
I'm something like a genie
Girl I'll make your wish come true
And now our time is running
With every grain of sand
So here's the grand finale
Watch me do my slight of hand
Step right up on the stage
Free yourself from the cage
Pick a card and guess it girl
Here's a lesson girl
It's just an illusion
1-2-3...I disappear
I'm coming right back so stay right here
Ain't no second guess girl
I'm not the best girl
It's just an illusion..."
~Ross Lynch
Oh darling, can't you see,
together we fit perfectly,
I love you, you're so divine,
if only you'd be always mine...
So, come away and fly with me,
we'll fly farther than the eye can see,
if only you'll trust me...trust me...
Sunset and fire is the perfect pair,
Alight and sparking in the air,
Can't you see my love is true,
I'll never stop loving you....
if only you'll trust me.
~Apollo
Yep, this is Apollo's proposal
^-^ he's pretty nervous.