Chapter 20
The night came quicker than expected. For now there was nowhere to lock up ne'er-do-wells and so the group was forced to keep Wisteria and Orchid with them, much to everyone's chagrin. Except Iris, who seemed to have much more pressing matters in mind. The Mirror had been pacing ever since she got back from the spa yet refused to explain why. All questions were answered with, “I'm fine” or, “It's okay, really” regardless of the question asked. It was a blessing, then, that the squeaky wheel had been tended to previously or else Zinnia would have done something drastic.
When the bell tolled 10 Iris was out of the door like a shot, stopping only long enough to say, “I'llbebacksoon. Orinthemorning. Idon'tknow. Bye!” Then she was gone, the doors swinging behind her. For a good while all the others could do was blink in confusion. Slowly breaking from their stupor the dragons began milling towards the rooms they'd been booked for the night.
When it came to who would watch over the bard brigands the obvious first thought was Magnolia what with her being so large. The idea was quickly shot down by her overly kind demeanour, fearing she'd be swayed into letting them go. While the next obvious choice Aster declined the role as he wanted to room with Gardenia, claiming to have something important he wished to discuss with her privately. Initially incredulous, the young Tundra allowed this as long as Allium or Lupin could join them, to which the Guardian agreed. As both Gaolers were currently setting the more bestial familiars into the local stable it was the Fae who ended up joining them, though she seemed oddly fidgety and kept glancing out of the window at her ersatz brother and his dryad friend,.
No sooner had Lupin and Alstroemeria returned, Willow having chosen to stay outside with the animals, was the request asked of them, startling the pair a moment at the trust needed for the task. “Of course, this was more aimed at Lupin than yourself, Merry.” Hyacinth admitted, rubbing his injured forearm with his other hand. “That said, since you two are together a lot, have grown so large and are... um... new...” here he subtly nodded at a group of bystanders gawking at the Gaolers, the rest of the group having grown so used to their presence that they'd forgotten the furry giants were relatively new to modern Sornieth, “not forgetting your apparent need to guard whatever it was you siphoned from,” the Skydancer lowered his head respectfully, “Amaranth, we thought you would be more than suitable for this.”
“Not to mention Gaoler sounds like 'jailer'.” Zinnia pointed out through a crack in the trapdoor leading down into the more cave-like dens below the inn. “It's perfect when you think about it.” With a click the Bogsneak was gone without waiting to see the outcome.
“I believe that to be the point.” the grey Skydancer murmured under his breath.
Acacia tilted her head musingly at this. “Gaoler, hm? So the rumours are true?” Another factor to the group: they'd been together so long, even with the recent addition of Aster, that they'd all grown to know each other to an extent. So it was still a shock when a new voice joined in their conversations.
“And what rumours would those be?” A rather dishevelled Wisteria ground out bitterly, more to remind everyone that she and Orchid were still present. “We've travelled a lot and hear many juicy stories. Nothing about... Jay-Laws or whatever you said.”
“Gaoler...” Quietly corrected Orchid, the Nocturne keeping her head turned away, eyes closed tight.
Long tail flicking elegantly behind her the galaxy-strewn Guardian explained, “As I left my childhood home of Shal'anir deep within the Tangled Wood I overheard whisperings from the creatures that lurk in the shadows. They mentioned something about ancient beings from aeons past walking the land once more. I must admit I had not expected to cross paths with one let alone travel with two.”
With the others' back-and-forth about himself and possibly Alstroemeria continuing without the two Gaolers being directly involved Lupin couldn't help but feel smaller and smaller with each word. He'd not gotten the chance to speak, polite as he was to wait until conversation had ended to say his piece in case he accidentally interrupted someone, and had begun to feel more like an ornament, a living trophy as his kind, supposedly, was discussed right in front of him. Alstroemeria had tried to tell him about the other Gaolers, about life deep beneath the thick ice sheets but the bouncy, overenthusiastic way she spoke made listening difficult as she jumped from description to description without actually describing anything. And she was so clingy!
Fidgeting uncomfortably the Tundra-like ancient shuffled closer to the bardic bandits with the intention of accepting responsibility of watching them for the night. If only the others would stop talking about him and Merry long enough for him to say so- “You know, Bird, we're stood right here.” Lupin balked at the green-furred female's interjection, more so at her nickname for Skydancers. “You can ask us anything. I'd be more than happy to tell you more!” As she puffed her chest out with pride he shrunk down to the ground, really not wanting all the attention she was redirecting back to them.
“O-of course, Merry.” It was Hyacinth's turn to fidget in embarrassment, taken aback by the suddenness of her offer. “I hadn't meant any-”
“I'll do it!”Blunt claws dragged over the wooden planks as the oilslick-coloured Gaoler shrunk further into himself. He had blurted it so quickly that he'd startled himself; the pressure had reached a point he could no longer handle. A board cracked under his broad paw. A small flower grew out of the dirt beneath it. The lobby fell silent as all present dragons stared at him with a mixture of emotion. “I'll do it.” He repeated, rasping as his throat tightened. “I'll watch them for tonight.”
Just please stop staring at me...
“Erm. Yes, of course.” Tugging at the tie of his cowl the Skydancer averted his gaze, clearing his throat. “Thank you for accepting. I trust you will be fine with them?”
Swinging his long neck around to regard his charges for the night, one of which glared daggers back at him while the other insisted on avoiding eye contact, Lupin opened his mouth to reply only for Merry to jump in front. “Oh we'll be fine all right.” She waved a paw dismissively, oblivious to the irritation she was causing. “We Gaolers lock up and watch all kinds of wacky things over in the Dripcave Dregs, what's two other-” A withering stare from her fellow made her shut up, smoothing her fur and lowering to the floor submissively. “You... ah... don't want me with you, huh?”
“Not tonight.” Lupin clarified, though the tone insinuated longer. Alstroemeria attempted to win him over with a sweet smile, wagging her tail like a puppy. When nothing more was said the olive dragon drooped, slinking slowly towards the trapdoor to follow Zinnia into the dark depths of the cave system. Throwing another quick smile at Lupin she, with some effort as the gap wasn't made with dragons larger than a Bogsneak in mind, managed to squeeze down into the tunnels, using her diminutive wings to help pull her along.
Once the trapdoor had closed, with a simple silent nod to one another, the remaining dragons in the foray trickled into their respective rooms, Lupin ushering Orchid and Wisteria into theirs ahead of him. “Girlfriend?” The Coatl asked playfully. Deep green fur fell over the Gaoler's face as he lowered his head, not in the mood for any more talk. “She certainly likes you. Now I don't know anything about you Jay-Laws, however I'm willing to play matchmaker if you need advice-”
“Not my girlfriend.” A low growl filled the room. A familiar sound to the one it was aimed at, not so much from where it originated. Taking a long, deep breath that was let out in an irate snort Lupin flopped on the floor next to the doorway, barring escape, laying his head on his paws in such a way he could monitor the prisoners until they all fell asleep.
Very much accustomed to such cold reception Wisteria let out her own, weary sigh. A spark entered her pale pink eyes as she turned though, a wry grin spreading on her rounded face. “You know, you make a very imposing doorstop but there's a feature of these places that you may be-” As she reached for the window something long wrapped around her wrist tightly, startling her into making a very un-lady-like squawk. Drawing back from the panes so did the leafy vine that had sprouted from outside, rejoining a living lattice blocking the other escape route. “I... see you... already thought of that.” She chuckled humourlessly, slipping onto one of the beds, still holding her wrist as if the tendril were still there. “W-well then! Good job. Bravo, even.”
An awkward silence fell between the three dragons. On the other side of the room Orchid had lain on another bed, gazing out of a gap between the vines at the dark, star-speckled sky. For a good, long while the only sounds were their own breathing, footsteps outside and muted voices as other guests chatted in their rooms. Huffing out of boredom Wisteria rolled onto her belly, wrapping her tail around herself and glowering into her pillow as she hummed curses. <When will this end, Wist?> Jolting slightly in surprise and earning herself their jailer's full attention in the moment the albino Coatl curved her neck to regard the previously soundless Nocturne. <Why do we have to keep stealing from travellers and get into trouble just to have shelter for the night? All I want is to perform for real, make people happy. Maybe start a proper band and stuff.>
<I don't know, dear.> Laying her head back on the pillow Wisteria's scowl softened. It had been several months since the Twisting Crescendo had ceased, since she'd been evicted from her clan by her own superstitious parents who, by the same logic, should also have been kicked out long ago by the other resident Coatls. Ever since she'd been forced to scavenge for food, taking what meagre shelter she could find.
It was only by luck that that one clan had let her stay as long as they did. For once there were no others of her kind there, no one to cast blame or doubt on the colourless Coatl. Few asked about her eyes even, likely assuming, as most did, that she was of Arcane. It was there that she'd shown off her vocal skills, earning a few coins that went towards fresh seafood, a warm bed and the jacket she wore. So special it was to her that she took great pains to keep it clean. Not an easy task when you're forced into a nomadic lifestyle.
It had also been from that clan that Orchid had joined her. So enthralled by the Coatl's ability to sing melodically without her native humming, and in need of a way to show off her own skill with almost any musical instrument she touched, that the Nocturne chose to leave. At the time she'd believed Wisteria to be a willing travelling performer, not asking questions when they never joined other dragons in a lair or caravan. Not until, that is, she caught Wisteria wearing jewellery she'd apparently “happened to find” not long after stopping to earn a little treasure from their first audience.
Wisteria could not lie easily at the time, giving up and explaining the truth to her new partner. It had hurt to know, yet Orchid decided to stick around out of sympathy. The Coatl needed help and company and she was willing to accommodate. Heck, they'd even been gifted with a sphinx cub and young greattusk from a band of familiar traders needing to offload their more feisty stock. Granted it was in lieu of money but seriously, who just gets given a sphinx cub and greattusk? Greed took over then, the pair pressing their luck to see what other valuable goodies they could swindle off of unwary victims. Orchid even took to riding on her greattusk, whom she'd named Djembe after comparing his footsteps to the sound of drums, and even using him in display while her partner frisked their possessions.
Then they started getting caught. A mistake here, a dropped item there. Fear took them the first time they were imprisoned, then they realised how much they'd missed proper dens, proper food. Being in jail became a goal, intentionally slipping up from time to time in order to achieve it. Enough to satisfy themselves, not enough to make a name for themselves. Orchid's ability to perfectly mimic other dragons and even replicate their movements from moments ago if it were recent enough allowed sweet-talking, blackmailing and breakouts easy.
But the more they did it, the more the Nocturne doubted what she'd done. Wisteria was taking it in stride, claiming it to be penance for being cast out. Particularly if other Coatls were present. Those groups always had something stolen from them. Even if it wasn't useful to them. Then of course was the evening prior, when the albino had outright said she was tired of it all. Although that was hard to tell if it was an act to sway the group they now were held captive by or if she'd meant it. So Orchid pressed to find out. <Be honest, Wist.> Orchid lifted herself up enough to clearly see the Coatl over her own wing, well aware of green eyes darker than her own watching her closely. <Are you really fed up of it, too, or was it more drama. Are we going straight back to stealing when we are let go?>
<What else is there?> Snapping around fully to face Wisteria, using her arms to support her front half, the Nocturne stared open-mouthed at her partner in art and crime, though her instincts quickly saw her laying on her belly with arms tucked under her chest.
<How could you say that?> Orchid practically begged. <There has to be a clan out there willing to take us in. Somewhere we can stay until we can find our feet as actual, honest-to-goodness performers?>
Lazily draping a white wing over the side of the bed, an action mirrored by the bat-like dragon opposite, Wisteria stretched and yawned. <We
are actual performers.> she countered, making herself more comfortable on the straw-filled cot. <We play good music, sing good songs and make good money or get good shelter. Besides, as long as there's more Coatls around we'll never get accepted into a clan. Might as well get used to it, it's only been half a year.>
<'Only'.> Orchid repeated drily, rolling her eyes. <Wist, this isn't what I mean. I'm all for exploring the world and meeting other dragons but I want to do it as a musician, not a thief. I want to get out there and entertain people for pleasure, not out of desperation. I want to earn my prizes, not be given it out of sympathy. ...although Analika and Djembe were very nice gifts.>
Wisteria blew out a breath forcibly between her lips. <Do you even know why they gave them to us, darling?>
<Because they were overly kind dragons wanting to make a difference by giving us animal companions?>
<Kid, dear, those weren't traders. They were poachers. Illegal poachers. All the animals they had with them? Exotic. Rare. Beasts that don't belong in the Plateau. They offloaded the young of creatures they no doubt hunted and killed for skins and ivory. For free? Probably because they were being tracked down like we would if we gave ourselves away. A sphinx cub and a greattusk would go for a lot of gems, let alone treasure, in the right market normally.>
<Th-they...> Peridot eyes going wide and wings flaring with shock Orchid shot upright at the thought. Across the way the brown overgrown Tundra also raised himself up in preparation for any untoward behaviour. <That's...> A grey hand went to her mouth in horror at this theory. <No wonder 'Lika keeps biting people... B-b-but! That's what I mean, Wist! I don't want to end up like that! It's... it's not right. It's not
fair.>
There was a sour tone to Wisteria's returned humming. <Nothing ever is.>
Poachers. Actual thieves who would murder animals for profit and sell the young for even more. Gems even, not just treasure. Could it come to that? Could their lives spiral so far out of control that they'd have to turn to such acts? Orchid found her despairing gaze locking onto the wary one Lupin was giving her. The Gaoler had since relaxed back into a cat-like lounge, head tilted curiously to one side. A motion she could not resist, cocking her own head at him as she settled into her own lounging state. Though hers was far from relaxed. “...I'm sorry.” Lupin's ears pricked in confusion at the change of language, straightening once he realised she was talking to him. “I'm sorry for being so much trouble.”
While he offered an expression of sympathy Lupin struggled to find the words suitable for a response, so caught off-guard he was by the apology. Flashing a small smile in reply to his facial gesture Orchid took the silence as her queue to turn in, crawling back around so that she lay on her front, then rolled slightly onto one side so that her back was to Lupin.
“Good night.” the Nocturne whispered only loud enough for the other two to hear. Wisteria merely grunted as she shifted again.
Returning his head to his paws and still kicking himself for not saying anything Lupin murmured, “Sleep well.” as he proceeded to keep further watch until he could stay awake no longer.
When he awoke the Gaoler found his charges already awake, conversing in the Coatl humming until they noticed his rousing, pausing to offer him broad grins on both sides as Orchid chirped, “Good morning!”
“Morning.” Still groggy from just waking up Lupin yawned widely, stretching first his front legs and digging arms, then back legs and tail. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he did a quick patrol to check that what few items decorated their room were still present and that nothing seemed out of place. Once satisfied he led the two women outside, nearly bumping into a pacing Hyacinth in the lobby.
As it happened the Skydancer had felt guilty for dumping the responsibility on Lupin, opting to wait by the door in order to apologise. After a brief conversation to assure the avian dragon that all was fine a change of guard initiated, allowing the Gaoler to relieve himself and rinse off in the nearby washrooms. Comfortable, he headed into the food court for breakfast, following familiar faces down the hallway. And focusing on those familiar faces as once again passers-by stopped to gawk at him.
Unsurprisingly, most of the food on offer was seafood. This suited him fine, though he was pleased to see plenty of non-seafood dishes for those who didn't like or couldn't eat it. Procuring a decent breakfast from the gobsmacked staff Lupin set off in search for a quiet place to eat, soon being flagged down by the furry form of Gardenia. Squeezing himself into her chosen booth it warmed him to see Allium also there, having being hidden by a mountain of salad the pair had been sharing.
“About time you got here, sleepyhead.” the Tundra commented with a cheeky wink. Blinking at this Lupin peered out of the window next to them to see the sun already fairly high in the sky. Had he really slept in that long? Once the bards had fallen asleep he'd thought he'd slept rather well. That or it had ended up being that late once they'd stopped talking. Regardless he gave his little sister a blast from his nostrils before tucking in.
As the three left the inn for some fresh air Allium tugged at Gardenia's head fur, pointing at their larger brother. “Oh... right. Hey Loopy, could... could you come with us a moment?” the pistachio-coloured dragon asked, a lot more shyly than usual. “Alli wants to tell us something.”
Arching a concerned brow Lupin nodded, motioning for the pastel Tundra to lead the way as Allium quickly flitted up to cling to his antler stump. Rounding the corner down an alley the trio sat in silence a moment, no one quite sure how to begin. Allium was fighting to find words, neck frills rigid and arched back, facial fins splaying and collapsing rapidly, red, walnut-shaped eyes lacking any hint to what was going on in her mind. Patiently the furry foster siblings waited. Trying to ease some of the pressure by looking away from the monochrome Fae Lupin watched a small group of dragons leaving the village, a fair number of the local residents following them out and waving. Whoever the red Coatl, cream Skydancer, black Spiral and young green Fae were, they had made an impact.
“I-it's... It's just...” Stammering so hard she had a hard time keeping upright Allium dropped to all fours to maintain some balance. “I wa-was t-talking with... with Willow about how... how their species worked. B-being that they have n-no real... um... g-gender. A-and it... it made me wonder something.” She paused, swallowing hard as if the very words she was trying to say were gumming up her mouth. “I didn't know how... how to think.” Spindly silver fingers wrapped and unwrapped with anxiety. “B-but there were times... not all the time but some times where... being called 'she' or 'her' didn't... fit? I-I can't explain... It just feels... wrong.”
“But that's how we address or refer to females, right? Even non-dragons?” It was an innocent enough question yet Allium looked like she had been struck. Gardenia panicked, reaching out to her sister, hovered, debated if it was a good move or not.“Oh Alli! What is it? Did I say something bad?” Lupin, too, had shot to his feet to wind comfortingly around the girls.
“Don't cry Alli.”He whispered soothingly to the tiny Fae, who hiccuped out of a stubborn refusal to get upset. Lowering his head the Gaoler nose-nudged her and she twisted around to throw her arms around his snout, pressing her forehead against his course fur. “Take your time. We're listening.” As he spoke his claws worked into the dirt, an allium – the flower she had been named after – blooming in the groove.
It was some time before the tiniest dragon was able to muster up the strength to continue. Shaking her head vigorously she squeaked, “I don't know why but I hate that word. Hate being called that word and the words attached to it. It... it feels like you're calling me by the wrong name almost. It's not... it's not
me.”
Bowing her head shamefully Gardenia tucked her forelegs tight to her chest as she sat down. “I don't... I'm sorry, I don't get what you're trying to say.”
Shaking her head again Allium pulled away from Lupin, splaying her wings as if to prepare for flight. “Forget it.” She snapped, kicking a small pebble. She winced as it bounced off of the flower her brother had grown for her, collapsing in on herself as emotion ran wild.
“Alli...” Delicately despite the size difference Lupin scooped up the weeping Fae, bringing her to his chest so she could cling to his fur.
“I should go.” Gardenia stated abruptly, eyes squeezed shut, brow furrowed painfully deep. “I'm not helping at all. M-maybe I should find Willow for you guys.”
“No, Dene, it's okay.” the Gaoler called softly after the Tundra. “It's not you.”
“Like you understand what's going on!” Rounding on the larger dragon the Tundra puffed out her thick, light blue coat as she glared accusingly at him. “I'm supposed to see the future or something and I still don't get it! Maybe if my supposed powers
actually worked then I'd know what's happening! But I don't! And I'm just making Alli upset!
So I'm leaving!” A tear soaked into her cheek fluff.
Wriggling in Lupin's hands Allium poked her head between his fingers as he pulled her away from him again. “No Gardie, don't. It's not your fault.” Fans and frills settled flat against her skin as she held out an arm towards Gardenia, asking her to stop. “I just... don't know how to explain and it's frustrating all of us.”
“Not him!”
She may as well have stabbed him. Lupin flinched at his surrogate sister's verbal attack, gritting his teeth as he struggled to find some way to calm them both down. “Of course I'm frustrated, Dene. I'm just trying to think...” He trailed off, unsure what else to say. Why was he so bad at talking? Even in moments like this when it was needed most he had no words, no way to soothe those around him.
“It's okay, Lupe.” Allium smiled at him with her fins, patting his thumb assuringly. “I'm just being weird. Don't beat yourself up.”
But he wasn't convinced. There had to be some way he could relate to... not 'her'. What could he use? What would make her comfortable? “How about we call you 'they' like with Willow? At least for now? Would that help?”
“But that's so confusing!” Stamping a foot in annoyance Gardenia sighed loudly. “'They' is for more than one! Not one! It kind of works for Willow but only 'cos that's all we call them! Alli is a girl like me!” Again Allium flinched.
Drawing his lips into a tight line Lupin searched frantically for something to distract them both with, his gaze falling on the allium he'd grown. An idea came to mind. A half-baked long shot of an idea, but an idea. Lowering his Fae sibling towards the flower he attempted to explain, “You're like a flower. Not really female or male. Maybe not both, but not either, yet able to perform like both. Does... that work?”
There was a long, silent pause. As the seconds ticked past Lupin felt more and more like he was wrong, that he'd said something stupid. Just as he opened his mouth to apologise Allium began to giggle. Waiting a moment longer the Fae snorted, failing to contain the humour, then burst out laughing. A strange, monotonous sound but laughter nonetheless. “A... A flower! I'm... a flower?”
“W-well, dryads are tree spirits. And trees and flowers are both plants. S-so...” Yup, he'd botched that one. Yet, once again, Allium began to chuckle. Throwing the confused Gardenia an equally baffled look Lupin tried to force a smile, hoping to share in Allium's elatedness, didn't quite get there. Until she-
they hugged his thumb and wavered her-
their fins at him in the way Faes smile. Relaxing at the sight whatever awkward mess had graced his muzzle slid into his own grin.
Sighing lightly after catching their breath Allium shook their head. “No, not quite. But it does make me feel better. I'm a flower. I'm not a girl, or a boy. I'm... me. Just me.”
Dropping sullenly to the ground across from the two Gardenia wailed, “I still don't get it!”
“We'll talk with Willow about it.” Lupin suggested, moving to heft the tormented Tundra onto his back and lifting Allium up to ride on his antler stump. “Maybe they'll help you understand.”
Next Chapter
Inventory/Notes: Breed/Gene x7
Or set up a bio shop on fr to make money/gems - I would gladly pay u to write 
) have a lot going on in life and that one or two people admitted to only read out of idle curiosity so I don't expect comments all the time from you guys. Yet there's something that irks me when I see the view counter go up with no one else offering any kind of feedback let alone support.
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