Re: Winds of Change (Pinkerlocke)
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:46 pm
Day 100
Chapter 23
“Yes! A clan! All of us, together!” There was an energy behind Ilmatar's bright green eyes that only Vin recognised; one that he had not seen ever since they'd first met. Well. “Met”. Her coiled tail whipped about in excitement as she regarded the gathered dragons expectantly, Meifeng wriggling and squawking in protest all the while.
”A clan.” The phrase was uttered between Anvindr, Noelani and Vunguza as Whisper hummed contemplatively, furry brows raised in surprise.
“It's something I've always wanted.” The Coatl continued, beginning to pace about and examining their distraught surroundings. “I know there's a lot to do to get it to look right, but this place is just perfect and us lot have been travelling together long enough. Why not start up our own colony, our own lair?” As she turned Lani noticed a wave of pain cross the red dragon's face, her movements faltering.
I wonder if she's thinking of Makani. the Wildclaw thought to herself, her own stance slumping as memories of the sweet green Fae played in her mind. And maybe all the others we've lost. Eurus and Sora. And the two I did not meet. To have had those fallen with them would have made this a more grand occasion to be sure. Whisper must have sensed her distress as the Imperial had lowered his head to gently butt her shoulder, his lone eye level with hers.
“I'm okay.” She half-lied as he rumbled a concerned melody at her. The cream dragon smiled, laying a hand on the Imperial's cheek affectionately. In response he pressed lightly into her touch, humming soothingly.
It was Vin who poke out, if feebly. “All of us?” Of course, Lani grimaced, there was a good chance that, given what the Spiral had said earlier, Ilmatar would not be including him. The Wildclaw had insisted that he was not to blame, but that was her. Matar had yet to voice anything concerning the matter, let alone speak to Vin directly.
Indeed, at his words the Coatl's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she studied the tiny noodle, who slunk down under her gaze. Her tongue flicked out. Once. Twice. Her wings ruffled, her tail swaying. Then she lifted her crested head to take in the expressions of her group. Whisper was unreadable, but then he wouldn't know what the Spiral had done unless Noelani had told him. Lani herself had reason to hold Vin in contempt for the death of her cousin and after witnessing his actions with the serthis that had managed to subdue them. Yet Matar had seen the two conversing without ire. Vunguza, too, had possibly seen the Spiral become unhinged at the chance to repay the snakes, though likewise the Snapper, too, seemed nonplussed.
It had been the serthis all along, too. Vin was not to blame for Ahio's death and her scaly mutation. Matar found herself looking over the hard, shiny plates that lined her flank and legs. At the same time, he'd tried to “help” without invitation and had been dumb enough to leave alchemical supplies unattended. A snort left her nostrils as her lime gaze returned to Vin, who was now, it appeared, attempting to merge with the ground so low he had cowered before her.
Was it time to let it go? He was a crazy idiot for sure... but was he really the murderer she'd labelled him all this time? No one else seemed to think so.
The whole world waited with bated breath as she considered her options.
Matar's attention sunk down to the squirming Ridgeback in her arms, who squeaked in protest again when she saw she was being looked at. The corners of the Coatl's mouth twitched, her long, feathered crests rising and falling as emotions swam through and around her.
“Do you like Vin?” Matar asked the juvenile softly. Meifeng stopped writhing for a moment at her voice even though she did not yet understand the words. “Go to Vin.” Matar placed Meifeng on the floor, nudging her in the direction of the Spiral.
At this unexpected action the mint-coloured dragon stood stock still in confusion. She flicked her eyes up at the big red Coatl, then around at everyone else in childish bemusement. Again Matar pushed her towards the dark Spiral. She took a begrudging step, shooting her adoptive protector a small scowl, then plodded over to Vin and sat next to him. She squeaked again. What now?
“Well.” Ilmatar said at length, a hint of tension present in her tone. “It seems I'm the only one who is still wary of you.” She paused to plan her next words carefully, unsure whether to be sympathetic or put off by the Spiral's attempt to become one with the ground. Another cursory glance around at her potential clanmates-to-be, at Lore as the Guardian took in every action, quill quivering as the Iceborne lorewalker prepared to document this moment. Ilmatar closed her eyes, taking in a long breath and letting it out slowly. As the last of the exhalation left her nostrils her eyes opened again and a small but warm smile spread over her maw. “All of us. Including you.” She held out a paw to the dark-spotted dragon in offering.
Vin could only stare for a few long seconds as he registered the words, the gesture, the smile. Pushing himself up from the packed dirt a massive grin split his face as it all sunk in, hugging the Ridgeback who was still so much larger than he – getting an indignant chirruping in response – then dashed over to accept the Coatl's proffered hand.
Only to faceplant in the dirt as she lifted it away at the last moment.
“But.” Matar said sternly as Vin lifted his scuffed head to regard her, withering again under her burning gaze. “You must be accompanied by another clan member at all times and all your alchemy stuff must be kept somewhere safe. I do not want our group to be infiltrated and sabotaged again through your projects.”
“Yes yes yesyesyesyes I understand I will yes!”
“And do you promise that you won't go chasing after other dragons with gembond in order to 'help' them without express permission from me and them?”
“I promise I promise IpromiseIpromiseIpromise please I really am sorry!”
Her hardened visage slipped away as the small Spiral begged at her feet. It was pathetic, though she could not help but feel sorry for him. Had she ever spoken to him since he first used her and Ahio in his experiment? She snorted in distaste for his grovelling, then let the warm smile return as she reached out to steady him. “Then you can stay.”
Anvindr let out a cheerful whoop as he hugged Ilmatar's arm tightly. Murmurs of approval sounded from Noelani and Vunguza while Whisper nodded, humming loudly as his whiskers twitched. And above it all a short applause from Lore, who stopped abruptly when no one else joined in and instead focused on scribbling down some notes.
“If I may ask,” the jade Guardian spoke up, lifting her quill in questioning. “What will you be naming yourselves?”
Of course. If they were to be a clan they'd need a name for it. Matar jolted at that realisation, something that, for reasons not entirely known by herself, caused Noelani to chuckle. “I... don't... know...” Matar stated slowly, eyes flicking to everything within sight for inspiration. “Something that means varied, maybe? Since we're all different species, different colours, different flights...”
A grin wandered across Lore's face briefly in amusement. “It is fine. I will come back another time to see how you are getting on.” She lumbered to her feet, rolling up the parchment and storing it and the quill within her satchel. “If you'll let me, that is.” She added sheepishly as she realised the implications. “It's such a momentous occasion after all, to witness both the fall and rise of this community.”
Ilmatar nodded, then motioned at everyone else for their opinions; to which they all agreed in their own way. Even Meifeng howled happily, swishing her tail around despite having no clue what was happening.
“In that case, I shall leave you to settle.” Lore stated, giving them a low bow. “Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”
Farewells were given, though Matar had also offered the Guardian the choice to stay for the night as dusk was setting in. The offer was politely declined with the excuse that it was a long journey back home. Best make a start while light yet remained. Parting with this understanding everyone began to explore, seeking out ideal places to claim as their new home.
After they'd all split up to meander around the ruins Noelani slowed her pace, falling in line with Whisper and giving him a playful nudge before winding her way to the base of one of the biggest trees in the plaza. She'd spotted an opening in the roots and, as she'd hoped, found a hollow underneath. Not the most glamorous of places but it was big and sheltered enough to do. The great Imperial slunk in ahead of the Wildclaw, lining the wall with his bulk and motioning for his partner to join him. She did so with pleasure.
“Could do with some cushions,” Lani mumbled as she made herself comfortable against Whisper's scales, “or just some cloth or leaves...” Then a playful grin lined her maw as she craned her head back to stare up at the giant blue dragon around her. “Then again, who needs those when I have you?”
Whisper chuckled, the rumblings vibrating in his chest against her side, and swung his great head around to nuzzle hers before laying on the soil. The smile playing on his muzzle and his twitching whiskers a sign he did not mind the lack of amenities.
With a sigh of contentment the Wildclaw adjusted until she was suitably comfortable, one hand laying on a slightly swollen belly. It wasn't long before the pair of them had fallen asleep, oblivious to the goings-on above ground.
They are back in the Sunbeam Ruins, laying as they had in the hollow under the tree; he coiled around her as she lay against his side, gently lifting and lowering with his breaths. Ahead of them a group of children of all dragon kinds play together, chasing one another over the sun-kissed grass that glowed golden in the midday light.
The youngsters seem to shift and sway, their colours changing constantly, their forms not entirely solid as they flicked from one breed to another. If she focuses on one it would solidify, colours apparent, only to fade again as she looks away. “I wonder what they'll look like...” she murmurs softly as she shifts in her sleep, keeping a hand on her midsection.
That is when she sees something amiss. A lone cloud drifting lazily across an otherwise unmarked blue sky. Not an altogether out of place occurrence yet one that gives her pause. The small, unobtrusive cloud seems to cross directly above her and Whisper, above the children and now lingers in front of the sun, casting a shadow over the world, dimming it.
She peers up at it, trying to determine its patterns. Somehow the more she looks at it, much like how she looked at the shifting children, it began to take form. The longer she looks the more it looks like the head of a Tundra. The more she imagines the features of the face, the detail of the horns and fur the more lifelike it becomes.
Until an actual Tundra, dark of fur, was staring back at her. The dim world becomes darker still, falling away. She tries to call out, to stir her sleeping partner. But there is nothing. No sound, no light. Only the void. The silhouetted Tundra and shifting shadows. Two bright lavender discs flash where the eyes should be.
“Are you all quite comfortable?”
She awoke with a scream.
Chapter 23
“Yes! A clan! All of us, together!” There was an energy behind Ilmatar's bright green eyes that only Vin recognised; one that he had not seen ever since they'd first met. Well. “Met”. Her coiled tail whipped about in excitement as she regarded the gathered dragons expectantly, Meifeng wriggling and squawking in protest all the while.
”A clan.” The phrase was uttered between Anvindr, Noelani and Vunguza as Whisper hummed contemplatively, furry brows raised in surprise.
“It's something I've always wanted.” The Coatl continued, beginning to pace about and examining their distraught surroundings. “I know there's a lot to do to get it to look right, but this place is just perfect and us lot have been travelling together long enough. Why not start up our own colony, our own lair?” As she turned Lani noticed a wave of pain cross the red dragon's face, her movements faltering.
I wonder if she's thinking of Makani. the Wildclaw thought to herself, her own stance slumping as memories of the sweet green Fae played in her mind. And maybe all the others we've lost. Eurus and Sora. And the two I did not meet. To have had those fallen with them would have made this a more grand occasion to be sure. Whisper must have sensed her distress as the Imperial had lowered his head to gently butt her shoulder, his lone eye level with hers.
“I'm okay.” She half-lied as he rumbled a concerned melody at her. The cream dragon smiled, laying a hand on the Imperial's cheek affectionately. In response he pressed lightly into her touch, humming soothingly.
It was Vin who poke out, if feebly. “All of us?” Of course, Lani grimaced, there was a good chance that, given what the Spiral had said earlier, Ilmatar would not be including him. The Wildclaw had insisted that he was not to blame, but that was her. Matar had yet to voice anything concerning the matter, let alone speak to Vin directly.
Indeed, at his words the Coatl's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she studied the tiny noodle, who slunk down under her gaze. Her tongue flicked out. Once. Twice. Her wings ruffled, her tail swaying. Then she lifted her crested head to take in the expressions of her group. Whisper was unreadable, but then he wouldn't know what the Spiral had done unless Noelani had told him. Lani herself had reason to hold Vin in contempt for the death of her cousin and after witnessing his actions with the serthis that had managed to subdue them. Yet Matar had seen the two conversing without ire. Vunguza, too, had possibly seen the Spiral become unhinged at the chance to repay the snakes, though likewise the Snapper, too, seemed nonplussed.
It had been the serthis all along, too. Vin was not to blame for Ahio's death and her scaly mutation. Matar found herself looking over the hard, shiny plates that lined her flank and legs. At the same time, he'd tried to “help” without invitation and had been dumb enough to leave alchemical supplies unattended. A snort left her nostrils as her lime gaze returned to Vin, who was now, it appeared, attempting to merge with the ground so low he had cowered before her.
Was it time to let it go? He was a crazy idiot for sure... but was he really the murderer she'd labelled him all this time? No one else seemed to think so.
The whole world waited with bated breath as she considered her options.
Matar's attention sunk down to the squirming Ridgeback in her arms, who squeaked in protest again when she saw she was being looked at. The corners of the Coatl's mouth twitched, her long, feathered crests rising and falling as emotions swam through and around her.
“Do you like Vin?” Matar asked the juvenile softly. Meifeng stopped writhing for a moment at her voice even though she did not yet understand the words. “Go to Vin.” Matar placed Meifeng on the floor, nudging her in the direction of the Spiral.
At this unexpected action the mint-coloured dragon stood stock still in confusion. She flicked her eyes up at the big red Coatl, then around at everyone else in childish bemusement. Again Matar pushed her towards the dark Spiral. She took a begrudging step, shooting her adoptive protector a small scowl, then plodded over to Vin and sat next to him. She squeaked again. What now?
“Well.” Ilmatar said at length, a hint of tension present in her tone. “It seems I'm the only one who is still wary of you.” She paused to plan her next words carefully, unsure whether to be sympathetic or put off by the Spiral's attempt to become one with the ground. Another cursory glance around at her potential clanmates-to-be, at Lore as the Guardian took in every action, quill quivering as the Iceborne lorewalker prepared to document this moment. Ilmatar closed her eyes, taking in a long breath and letting it out slowly. As the last of the exhalation left her nostrils her eyes opened again and a small but warm smile spread over her maw. “All of us. Including you.” She held out a paw to the dark-spotted dragon in offering.
Vin could only stare for a few long seconds as he registered the words, the gesture, the smile. Pushing himself up from the packed dirt a massive grin split his face as it all sunk in, hugging the Ridgeback who was still so much larger than he – getting an indignant chirruping in response – then dashed over to accept the Coatl's proffered hand.
Only to faceplant in the dirt as she lifted it away at the last moment.
“But.” Matar said sternly as Vin lifted his scuffed head to regard her, withering again under her burning gaze. “You must be accompanied by another clan member at all times and all your alchemy stuff must be kept somewhere safe. I do not want our group to be infiltrated and sabotaged again through your projects.”
“Yes yes yesyesyesyes I understand I will yes!”
“And do you promise that you won't go chasing after other dragons with gembond in order to 'help' them without express permission from me and them?”
“I promise I promise IpromiseIpromiseIpromise please I really am sorry!”
Her hardened visage slipped away as the small Spiral begged at her feet. It was pathetic, though she could not help but feel sorry for him. Had she ever spoken to him since he first used her and Ahio in his experiment? She snorted in distaste for his grovelling, then let the warm smile return as she reached out to steady him. “Then you can stay.”
Anvindr let out a cheerful whoop as he hugged Ilmatar's arm tightly. Murmurs of approval sounded from Noelani and Vunguza while Whisper nodded, humming loudly as his whiskers twitched. And above it all a short applause from Lore, who stopped abruptly when no one else joined in and instead focused on scribbling down some notes.
“If I may ask,” the jade Guardian spoke up, lifting her quill in questioning. “What will you be naming yourselves?”
Of course. If they were to be a clan they'd need a name for it. Matar jolted at that realisation, something that, for reasons not entirely known by herself, caused Noelani to chuckle. “I... don't... know...” Matar stated slowly, eyes flicking to everything within sight for inspiration. “Something that means varied, maybe? Since we're all different species, different colours, different flights...”
A grin wandered across Lore's face briefly in amusement. “It is fine. I will come back another time to see how you are getting on.” She lumbered to her feet, rolling up the parchment and storing it and the quill within her satchel. “If you'll let me, that is.” She added sheepishly as she realised the implications. “It's such a momentous occasion after all, to witness both the fall and rise of this community.”
Ilmatar nodded, then motioned at everyone else for their opinions; to which they all agreed in their own way. Even Meifeng howled happily, swishing her tail around despite having no clue what was happening.
“In that case, I shall leave you to settle.” Lore stated, giving them a low bow. “Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”
Farewells were given, though Matar had also offered the Guardian the choice to stay for the night as dusk was setting in. The offer was politely declined with the excuse that it was a long journey back home. Best make a start while light yet remained. Parting with this understanding everyone began to explore, seeking out ideal places to claim as their new home.
After they'd all split up to meander around the ruins Noelani slowed her pace, falling in line with Whisper and giving him a playful nudge before winding her way to the base of one of the biggest trees in the plaza. She'd spotted an opening in the roots and, as she'd hoped, found a hollow underneath. Not the most glamorous of places but it was big and sheltered enough to do. The great Imperial slunk in ahead of the Wildclaw, lining the wall with his bulk and motioning for his partner to join him. She did so with pleasure.
“Could do with some cushions,” Lani mumbled as she made herself comfortable against Whisper's scales, “or just some cloth or leaves...” Then a playful grin lined her maw as she craned her head back to stare up at the giant blue dragon around her. “Then again, who needs those when I have you?”
Whisper chuckled, the rumblings vibrating in his chest against her side, and swung his great head around to nuzzle hers before laying on the soil. The smile playing on his muzzle and his twitching whiskers a sign he did not mind the lack of amenities.
With a sigh of contentment the Wildclaw adjusted until she was suitably comfortable, one hand laying on a slightly swollen belly. It wasn't long before the pair of them had fallen asleep, oblivious to the goings-on above ground.
They are back in the Sunbeam Ruins, laying as they had in the hollow under the tree; he coiled around her as she lay against his side, gently lifting and lowering with his breaths. Ahead of them a group of children of all dragon kinds play together, chasing one another over the sun-kissed grass that glowed golden in the midday light.
The youngsters seem to shift and sway, their colours changing constantly, their forms not entirely solid as they flicked from one breed to another. If she focuses on one it would solidify, colours apparent, only to fade again as she looks away. “I wonder what they'll look like...” she murmurs softly as she shifts in her sleep, keeping a hand on her midsection.
That is when she sees something amiss. A lone cloud drifting lazily across an otherwise unmarked blue sky. Not an altogether out of place occurrence yet one that gives her pause. The small, unobtrusive cloud seems to cross directly above her and Whisper, above the children and now lingers in front of the sun, casting a shadow over the world, dimming it.
She peers up at it, trying to determine its patterns. Somehow the more she looks at it, much like how she looked at the shifting children, it began to take form. The longer she looks the more it looks like the head of a Tundra. The more she imagines the features of the face, the detail of the horns and fur the more lifelike it becomes.
Until an actual Tundra, dark of fur, was staring back at her. The dim world becomes darker still, falling away. She tries to call out, to stir her sleeping partner. But there is nothing. No sound, no light. Only the void. The silhouetted Tundra and shifting shadows. Two bright lavender discs flash where the eyes should be.
“Are you all quite comfortable?”
She awoke with a scream.