RP:A Wayward Dragon and an Invitation

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Ice Plague Cometh Arc



End of the Frozen Road, Outside Frostmaw Tavern

Satoshi sits tucked against the broad side of the transport wyvern, its saurian neck coiled around so that a slender muzzle can be rested upon the magus' lap. Absently Satoshi strokes the wyvern's snout with one hand while the other clasps a bundle of papers thick with ink sentences and sketches. "I hope your wings are ready, Viksen," the foxkin murmurs, her voice drawing the wyvern's attention, "for we'll need their strength in the coming days. Can you feel the final battle closing in?" A querying chirrup bubbles up from the ice wyvern's throat, followed by a light nudge of his snout to Satoshi. Viksen is ready and eager, his response creating a half-smile from Satoshi.


Elones was currently up in the air, the baby dragon fighting against the strong winds. She was still relatively new to flying, so this was probably more of a challenge for her than a more experienced dragon. Eventually, however, the winds won, sending the young dragon tumbling to the ground. She hit the ice and snow on the ground and bounced - once, twice, three times before she ended up on her back, struggling to upright herself. Flailing her legs and tail like she was, it was kind of adorable.


Satoshi stashes her papers in the front of coat at the first sign of someone approaching, although the reflex goes into effect well ahead of the magus's realization. For it takes a few seconds of blinking and staring before Satoshi can make out that the flailing bundle is, in fact, a young dragon twisted about in the snow. Before the kit can get up, Viksen lifts his head and stretches out on his long neck toward the dragonling. The wyvern's jaws hover over the younger saurian a moment more, watching through a golden eye, and then descend to offer her a nudge, as if to silently ask if she's all right. Or perhaps the nudge is meant to help get her on her claws, as there's certainly enough strength behind the gesture. From over the spikes of Viksen's neck, Satoshi watches, head tilted to one side. "Not one of Cryothain's fledgelings. And not one of Eyrie's. Where did you stray from, little snowscales?"


Elones was a little alarmed when the wyvern's face appeared above her, though she was grateful that the wyvern managed to push her on her side, which allowed her to stand back up. She silently thanked the wyvern with a nudge of her own, when her bright blue eyes turned to the woman who spoke to her. "...me?" her eight-year-old voice echoed in Satoshi's mind, "I am not sure. My mother..." She paused a moment. An image would appear; a large, white dragon fighting a humanoid of some sort.


Satoshi doesn't appear startled by the mental voice and images, a sign she's well-used to this form of communication from young saurians--or couatl and revenants. As she nods in understand, Viksen withdraws his head to rest upon the snow between dragonling and foxkin, watching. Satoshi offers the wyvern a pat as she looks at the White. "Separated or alone, Snowscales? This es not a safe environment for one so young to be wandering about, if she has a mother to return to, tu sais." Judging by Satoshi's tone, she is likewise accustomed to stumbling across young that have lost their parents, for Frostmaw is a harsh land that produces many orphans of every species.


Elones looks around to the snowy landscape. "...I don't know," she replied, "that's the only memory I have of my mother... and I don't know what happened to my father." She tilted her head. "...I apologize, I haven't introduced myself. I am Elones."


Satoshi bows her head, saying, "A pleasure, Elones. I'm Satoshi et this is Viksen. Do you know whereabouts you came from? I know these lands rather well," an understatement, "perhaps I've met your parents. There are a number of dragons who make Frostmaw their home, they too might know of your family."


Elones shakes her head. "No, ma'am. I do not. All I can remember is..." Images of a large, snowy cave. Outside was a human-ish creature made entirely of ice, chasing her away from the cave. "...and then I wake up in a completly different area," she finished, "Called... Key-lay... or something like that."


Satoshi's eyes narrow, as if Elone's images will become clearer if she squints. That creature of ice... No, it's too difficult to tell from glimpses of the dragon's memories. Shaking her head, Satoshi renews her attention upon Elones, head cocked to listen. "You've wandered far then, for you're in Frostmaw now, and it's far east and north of Kelay. But you've also wandered into fortune. Although this land is dangerous and difficult to survive in, it is also home to the Eyrie. They are always willing to help any dragon or dragonkin that has lost home, family, or more." A hand is lifted to point southward, where an impossibly tall tower of ice can be seen in the distance, piercing the clouds like a frozen needle. "That is their base. Food, bed, and warmth are always available, should you ask."


Elones tilted her head a little, her eyes following where Satoshi was pointing. She was silent for a few moments, as if thinking. Then she turned back to Satoshi. "I will keep them in mind, ma'am. Thank you very much." She looked down at her claws for a moment, then said, "Do you know where I could possibly find that cave? I've tried to look from the sky, but I've had no luck."


Satoshi closes her eyes in response, the better to play the image over again. "I've seen that cave, I believe. Although it is difficult to be certain from your memories alone. Ice caves are prone to changing shape and appearance as the blizzards descend. I cannot say for sure. Although, even if I could, I would warn you from seeking it out right now. Frostmaw is at war, its forests and caves are infested with the armies of our enemy. You could very easily walk straight into a nest of warriors, et they would not hesitate to turn you into a slave or meal. I recommend remaining nearer the town, at least until the battles are over, so that travel is safe again."


Elones nodded, though she did seem sad. "Well, is there any way I can help?" she asked. Then she remembered her fall. "...that doesn't involve flying in these winds," she added, making an odd gagging sound that sounded like laughter.


Satoshi looks genuinely thoughtful, rather than brush off an offer to help. "You may be a tad small to aid in fighting, but we will need every able and willing body if we are to be victorious in the coming days. Perhaps you could carry missives, or supplies? The Eyrie will be out in force, they will need assistance on the ground for landings, meals, messages, repairs, and more. The healers will need aids while tending to the wounded or hungry. There is plenty one could do, if they're swift of claw or wing." A snort comes from Viksen, the wyvern lifting his head importantly. Satoshi laughs and gives him a pat before adding, "And, of course, Viksen here will be transporting people throughout the region. You could hitch a ride, see what it is to be the lead of Transport in the Eyrie. Just don't overeat, like this big oaf does," she jabs a finger into Viksen's portly ribs, "else you'll never get yourself off the ground."


Elones buried her nose in the snow to keep herself from laughing. "Well," she said, "just send me wherever I'm needed. I cannot heal, but I can carry supplies and such." She shuffled a little, then added, "Although, perhaps I should get a little more experienced with flying before I do so."

Satoshi grins at Viksen's indignant expression before she replies to Elones. "I recommend visiting that tower then, Snowscales. It will provide you safe shelter, along with their being a number of dragons there that would be happy to help you with your flying. Tell them Satoshi sent you, they'll ensure you'll well looked after for anything you may need. Viksen can take you there himself, if you wish. He needs to work off his earlier meal anyway~." In response, the wyvern rises suddenly to his talons, robbing Satoshi of her seat and sending her tumbling backwards into the snow with a yelp.


Elones couldn't help but giggle. "I thank you, Miss Satoshi," she said, bowing her head, "but in terms of flying, I have another dragon teaching me... but I won't hesitate to come to tower to help in any way I can." She tilted her head. "...on another note, are you alright?"


Satoshi straightens, snowdust clinging to hair and clothes alike in a glistening shroud. No effort is made to brush the flakes away, Satoshi seeming quite unbothered by the frost as she offers Elones a wiggle of vulpine ears. "In the snow? I'm always alright~." Viksen snorts, wings unfurling with a shake, and Satoshi climbs to her feet. A smack on the thick hide of his flank is given to the wyvern before the magus takes hold of his saddle and hoists herself aboard. From her new vantage point, Satoshi gazes down at the dragonling to say, "I hope we see you at the tower then. You're more than welcome at any time~. For now, however, Viksen et I must be off. Meetings wait for no queen, however late she may be~." Viksen hunkers down in the snow in preparation to spring aloft, the time long enough for Elones to add anything further she may wish to say before they depart.


Elones is quite shocked to hear that Satoshi is a queen. She hides her shock pretty well though, and replies, "I shall see you again, Madame Satoshi." Then with a bow of her head, she spread her wings to take to the air, to head south towards Kelay.