RP:Fourth Time's the Charm
Frozen Pathway
Firewing would trudge slowly through the snow, his tailcoat blowing behind him as he traveled. His normal robes had been switched for something a bit more formal in his time of late; a Golden-lined, Black Silken Tailcoat with a high collar. It was buttoned tightly over his Bronze-colored silken shirt and Copper-colored leather vest. His black silken gloves seemed as if they were barely keeping his hands warm as they blew in the wind. Firewing's baggy, black silken pants were ruffling intensely as the wind blew them. His Formal Black boots were only visible by the shin-high length they provided, and even then, only the cuff of the boots could be seen. His hair was in its usual, single golden band behind his head, which almost blew out from the wind. He reached behind him and grabbed it as the wind finally came to die down, and he looked ahead. The sight of Frostmaw. The wind had come to a gentle breeze now, which caused him to smile as he slowly took steps over the snow, the sunburned skin on his face and neck being the only bit of red on his face, despite his hair and crimson eyes. He'd stop as he stared straight ahead. Finally, now would be the time to talk.
"You're either foolishly brave or bravely foolish," a voice, as crisp and cool as the snow-heavy winds, states from behind Firewing. "I haven't quite decided which it es, yet." There stands Satoshi, a mere handful of paces behind the dragon. She hadn't been there a moment before, yet stands with such pristine authority in the snows as if to suggest she's never left the spot. As always, she's garbed in her fur-trimmed coat and suede leggings, while over this rests a cloak delicate and translucent, as if it is woven of mist. The ethereal fabric glistens like dewdrops, chased through with elaborate patterns of icy threads, and all gathered about the foxkin regally, utterly ignoring the wind's presence in a most unnatural way. The cloak draws closer around Satoshi as she tips her head to one side, regarding Firewing with eyes of azure, their amber flecks burning with the only emotion visible upon her face: a wrath barely held in check. "Whichever it is, you've got less than a minute to speak before my tolerance wears thin, and I make another example of the Time Leech's pets, as a smear on the mountainside."
Firewing would pause as he heard the voice. The quickness and speed just proving his thoughts himself. He smiled slowly, a weak smile that showed signs of weariness and fatigue as he stood for five seconds. "...a thousand years..." was what he said as he looked at the frozen city of Frostmaw before him. He didn't turn, but only spoke to the ice-cold queen behind him. "...My Hatching day was four months ago...I celebrated as I usually do...a small feast I host in my honor..." he merely bent down and moved a leg forward as he took a seat in the snow, the top half of his body being the only thing able to be seen as he nestled. "...and, as each year before that, I've gained more power...made good choices...and bad ones too..." he said as he continued looking at the city. His eyes no longer held the usual evil mischief they always do, but instead actually reveal the tired dragon's years of life flashing before him as he recalls the events of his long life. "...and through all the deals I've made...all the power I've lost...and everything I've endured...never once have I been in a situation as I'm in now..." he'd continue facing Frostmaw, his words seeming slightly different from his usual, insane tone.
Satoshi, for all her appearances of a stern, stone-faced queen, can't help pursing her lips in a childish fashion at Firewing's words. "A thousand and one good choices could not right the one bad you made, in forging a deal with that Leech. I warned you. I warned you not to heed words from that devil, for he whispers promises of ill-gotten power, only to send you to your death without a thought of loyalty crossing his mind. The Leech is betrayal and only betrayal." Scathing tones abruptly soften as Satoshi lowers her voice to a whisper only loud enough for Firewing to hear, "I know this, for I've made the same error twice, and twice I've been bitten for it. I am the Time Lord's bitterest enemy because I was a loyal ally he spurned without reason. I did all he asked of me and more, only to have him stick a knife in my back on sheer whim. When I told you to be wary, it was from personal experience that I warned you." Although the Red's eyes are on the city ahead, should they stray to the kit, he'll see a once impassive face now lined with weariness, whiskers hanging heavily and ears nearly invisible as they're pressed into her hair. With eyes closed, Satoshi pinches the bridge of her nose in a gesture of silent frustration and stress. "Why are you here?" And why hasn't she struck yet, when by all rights she should?
Firewing would finally turn his gaze up to Satoshi as his smile actually looks welcoming. He seems as if he's not even worrying about her attacking him. Either he's not worried,..or he's actually given up. "Satoshi...I came...for possibly the most important deal I've come across yet..." He'd slowly stand up and turn to her as he looked into her azure flecks with his own almost sad eyes. "When I joined Vuryal...I wished for more power...that which I could not acheive on my own...And even then...Even with the power of the Time-Leech on my side...I still can not best you...You or any of the citizens of Frostmaw..." he said as he looked at her, his tone going quiet for a second as he actually needed to think of what to say next. "I came...to strike a deal for my freedom..." he said, hoping she'd at least hear him out and consider his plea.
Satoshi's lips draw back into a fang-baring snarl suddenly. "Do not speak that foul creature's names near my pure snows!" Aside from this outburst, however, she lets the dragon finish speaking before she answers. In fact, her answer is long in coming, choosing instead to stare levelly at Firewing, one piercing gaze striving against the other, searching for something. Some hint to his innermost thoughts. A glimpse of falsehood. A fleck of hostility. Whatever it is she finds, Satoshi doesn't say, only sighing in a heavy, exhausted manner that sends ripples glistening through her cloak. "Why? Why should I? So that you can seek another that will grant you further power, so that we do this dance all over again? Just how infinite do you imagine my patience to be? You will -never- obtain power that exceeds mine, through gifts and deals. I have fought tooth and nail since the moment of my creation to become what I am now. No short cuts. So tell me, why should I help you, if that is what you ask for? Four times now, I have spared your life, yet I begin to think that each time was a mistake, for each time I do, you try to burn me again. You cannot be trusted to keep your Word as a Dragon, clearly, so what is it you'd offer to promise security? You are a coward, Firewing, plain and simple, ever skittering to raise your banner alongside the one you deem strongest in the lands. And as such, you make yourself an enemy of all. You doom yourself with this method. So, why should I consider you capable of being an ally?"
Firewing would nod as he heard Satoshi's words before he closed his eyes. "Because...I've gained wisdom..." he says as he looks down at the snow. "...When I resigned from the Eyrie..." he said as he turned a little ways off to spy the massive tower that stood as the Eyrie's Headquarters, the massive structure passing the cloud-barrier. "I gave my Dragon's Word...that I would not harm Frostmaw, even under orders of V...The Time-leech...so long as no harm was dealt to each other from the other..." he paused as he looked at the white snow and frowned. "...He found a way to break it...He enjoys pitting others in his games..." His fist began to steam as if the skin was about to burn off, his anger beginning to transform him into his draconian form, but the steam soon settled as his gloves seemed to drip a tiny bit with what might be perspiration. "...I've only just now realized that..." He turned to Satoshi and looked at her, his eyes showing the strange sign of...wisdom? "I'm a coward...yes...I offer others that which I can give them as they give me something more valuable in return...I side with the winners...because I don't want to die..." His wisdom and determination as he spoke slowly faded as his weariness returned to him. "And...in truth...don't we all just want to live?..." he said admitting his true feelings. He is, quite possibly, the most cowardly dragon one could come across, but this time, he's grown to accept that about himself. Perhaps that in itself might be a sign of growth. "I might not always be on your side...but you'll always be able to beat me..."
Satoshi sighs. It's all she can do. The dragon speaks words she used to sing herself years ago. She'd learned since then, it's how she came to be as she is now, but she is still learning too, and can't forget those lessons hard learned. Had she not been a creature willing to do anything to survive just one more day? Death had been her greatest fear for the majority of her life, until she'd met Kasyr, and discovered that there are far worse things in life than failing to survive. And there are far better things than simply surviving. Each lesson is well etched in Satoshi's heart, some bitterly and some gently, but all deeply. That same nature she once carried, she sees now in the Red dragon, has seen since the moment she met him. It is what has stayed her hand time and again. "Puh. You idiotic pile of scales, I don't -want- to beat you. I never have. You'd be dead, if I desired that." Satoshi is nothing if not honest. And vain. "I've wanted to -teach- you, teach you the same lessons I had to learn. You'll doom yourself, otherwise. You are a dragon, if you'd just stand firm and fast, others would flock to you as allies. If you truly want my aid in breaking you free of this deal, you need to earn it. I will not trust you now, nor for a long time, if you even manage to live through this, but I grant you the chance to try and earn it. Go. Seek ways to aid me against the Time Leech without betraying me, and perhaps I will seek ways to aid you, in return. Time will decide how events go, as will your actions, for your words cannot presently be held in value. This is the last chance I grant you to leave these lands peacefully, until you've proven yourself worthy. You don't leave here today as an ally, but neither do you leave as an enemy. For now." With a single fluid step, Satoshi stands aside to reveal the path back down the mountain for Firewing. The kit's face is unreadable as she stares at him. "Go. And prove to me what a dragon is worth to this world."
Firewing would glance down the path and blink once or twice as he nods, heading south a few steps. He'd quietly walk in the silence until he'd passed her by around three feet. His boots would stop as he paused and looked ahead. "...I'll offer you something...something I have no desire to even look for...Check the Cenril Library...there's a section on old books from Kelay...I know a..." he paused as he debated on whether or not he should continue. He wanted Satoshi to trust him, but whether or not she'd actually search for this information would be up to her or not. he merely swallowed as he continued speaking. "...A Long time ago, I had a friend...he was the first human I ever interacted with...He was a pyromancer in Kelay...he knows the type of Dragon I can be...search for information on Mikael Heartgrove..." he said once before he'd continue walking, his eyes closed as he spoke to her about something secret he'd never really told anyone else now. Mikael was someone whom his life had begun with. Perhaps giving it to Satoshi would be the only way to show how he could be trusted after all. He quietly walked back towards the cold winds, his black-silk tailcoat beginning to blow behind him, as did his hair.
Satoshi silently watches the dragon leave. It's only after he's out of sight does she murmur to herself, "Mikael Heartgrove..." and turn away, vanishing with the snow.