#if you wish to get a scale get a different one from the dragon himself

[redhoneysugarorange]

I'd love to see Vlad and Danny both get summoned, just stare at each other, then start bickering and ignoring everyone around them.

Danny: Oh it's the fruit loop, get any of those feathers out of your head or are you still a bird brain?

Vlad: Horrible Nephew of mine, oh how wonderful it is to see you. No my feathers are just fine, they grew back well, unlike your awful gross scales. How does it feel? To burn?

Danny: how would you like to feel your flames flicker out old man.

Vlad: *sputtering* I am NOT old! Insolent child, I will drag you across the coals.

Danny: iNsOlEnT cHiLd blah blah blah blah blah you're so boring, perhaps a trip to the far frozen would do well to make you cooler.

Vlad: I will break you child.

Danny: oh noooo, scawyyyy, this is me, petrified rn. Im shaking in my boots.

Justice League, watching as these two powerful diety-like beings squabble amongst themselves: Should we.... Stop them?

*Danny and Vlad increase in volume, and the temperature starts fluctuating*

Justice League: Okay yes we need to stop them.

Batman, walking towards the two, channeling his inner Alfred and hoping it works: That is enough you two.

*Danny and Vlad both stop, and stare down at the brave human getting between them*

Vlad: Bringer of Packers Tickets, this is NONE of your business.

Danny: Yeah weirdo, scram this is our fight.

Batman sighs, and from seemingly out of nowhere pulls out a covered silver platter and a bulging bag.

Danny and Vlad:....

Batman: Danny if you stop fighting I will give you this *opens the top to reveal another one of Alfred's meals, this time a pasta dish with several pieces og garlic bread*

Danny: Holy shit is that the old man's cooking?

Vlad: Old ma- what old man? Daniel how do you know these people?

Danny: I broke his fountain.

Vlad: Ah, that explains nothing, I see your lessons with Pandora have yet to improve your language skills. And I'm not about to yield to a tiny and insignificant morta-

Batman: And for you, twelve different signed Packers Helmets.

Vlad:.....

Vlad: I see, we shall continue this fight later.

Suddenly, Vlad is surrounded by his flames and standing there is a man with large flaming black wings. Batman only blinks before handing over the bag to the now gleeful man, looking at the helmets like treasures.

Danny huffs at the showiness of his uncle, and is soon surrounded in light, simply transforming info his humanoid form.

---

Constantine:.... I didn't know they could do that... Huh.

Tim: Yeah he's hot right?

Constantine: Yes, the feathers are bloody hot, but I'm sure there's a work around.

Tim:.... I was talking about the dragon.

Constantine and Tim, staring at each other: ....

*Nod of understanding*

---

While the Justice League are huddled together making a game plan, Danny and Vlad get busy.

Danny blows a raspberry at Vlad and starts chowing down on his spaghetti dish, while Vlad hands his new helmets to the vulture servants one by one, growling threats to take extreme care. Vlad takes a second to look over and walks over to see what his Nephew would stop a fight over.

Vlad: A simple pasta dish, really?

Danny, with a mouth full: dwon't knoik it tuill yew *Danny swallows* try it. Honestly, the old man's food is the best I've ever had. Though tbh, I don't really have much to go off of.

Vlad: Well yes, I can see why, your father certainly is a disgrace in the kitchen

Danny: Not like mom is any better

Vlad: *Clutching the Packer's helmets close* Maddie can do no wrong.

Danny: *Rolling his eyes* yeah sure, anyway so you want some.

Vlad: I suppose.

*Danny makes another fork out of ice, much to the Phoenix's irritation, before letting the man scoop up some of the pasta and grumpily chew.

Vlad:.... Ah, I see, I can understand. May I have some of that garlic bread?

Danny: sure, but just one piece

Vlad: that's hardly fair, you have seven other pieces!

Danny: This was my bribe, you have your packers helmets, feel grateful I'm even giving you one.

*Vlad grumpily takes the bread, sitting down next to his nephew and grumbling curses under his breath*

Danny: Oh that reminds me! Hey, man of Bats? Batman?

Batman: Yes?

*Danny grabs and pulls off one of the scales from his shoulder* this is for the old man?

Batman: I'm sure agent A would appreciate it...

Danny: It is for that swear jar of his, it slipped my mind that I needed to add to it.

The Justice League: ???

Constantine: Did that dragon just give up a bloody scale? For a human? Simple as that? Not even a blood payment or anything?

------

Tim, off to the side, muttering: Okay, his mother's name is Maddie. Still not sure how this Phoenix guy and Danny are related though. His scales are some sort of magic power source? Possible, further testing needed. Has ice powers, but seems to be capable of much more. Has pretty white fur (and in his human form, hair) that perhaps also has power? Hmmm

Jason: Dude why are you so obsessed with this?

Tim: ummm to get to know the dragon better reconnaissance and failsafe planning?

Jason: Yeah sure buddy.

There was a dragon in their fountain.

A giant eastern dragon in their fountain.

Most of its body is in the fountain, but a good portion of it is just resting on the ground.

Were they supposed to just, leave it there or make it shoo.

Tim didn't know, neither did Dick.

It was beautiful, scales a glowing white and a mane that looked incredibly soft, even from where they were standing.

Again, there was a dragon in their fountain. A beautiful dragon, but a dragon nonetheless.

Alfred, the unconcerned, professional, most unphased man, just, walked over to it, give it sass for growling at him, and then asked if it would like to soak in the pool instead.

And the damn thing agreed to it too.

--

Danny fucking hated the aftermath of his fights with Vlad, sure, the phoenix never tried to actually kill him or anything, but the heat just does not do it for him.

At least the fucker himself is gonna be uncomfortable from the cold.

Danny just wanted to navigate to the Far Frozen to recover from the heat, alright. Of course it would be too much to ask, because next them he knew he ran into a portal and plopped down onto some rich person's lawn.

And then took over said rich person's fountain, it was big enough for a good amount of his body at least, so he just went why the fuck not.

Then some butler came over to him, gave him of all people fucking sass, and asked him if he wanted to soak in the pool instead.

So of course, he got to the moving to said pool.

[princessbellecerise]

Touch The Skies

──── ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧ ────

summary | In which Aemond finally takes you flying on Vhagar

warnings | None

this is a work of fiction. i do not own these characters

divider by @princessbellecerise

You know you shouldn’t be scared, but you were.

The nerves that pooled in your stomach almost made you sick, but you hid them from Aemond as he lead you up the hill, not wanting to making your dear husband upset.

After all, you know how much of an honor this is. For him to even consider showing you Vhagar was one thing, but for him to propose that you ride her?

That was an entirely different story. A true honor, seeing as Aemond had never let anyone ride on Vhagar’s back expect for himself. When you got married, you always assumed that he wouldn’t even let you get close to the dragon he had fought to claim.

But alas, here you were. Ascending the cliff that the gigantic beast rested on, for she was too big for the Dragonpit the ancient Targaryens had designed. A monster in her own right, and utterly terrifying to see in person.

Your stomach churned a little more but you tried your best to keep a brave face. The warnings your dear husband still rang through your head:

Do not ever let a dragon sense your fear. They will deem you weak, and the weak are treated as prey.

Those words nearly paralyzed you; reminding you over and over you could not fault. You had to be as strong as your husband was, fearlessly walking up the dragon as if he was the bigger monster.

Aemond’s back was straight, gaze strong as he first approached the dragon. You lingered back a little bit further way at his command; the Targaryen needing to speak to his dragon before you approached.

Curiously, you watched as words of old Valyria flew from his tongue, prompting the gigantic beast to turn it’s head to your husband.

Yellow eyes stared into lilac ones, and for a moment, all was still. You held your breath as Aemond repeated his commands and Vhagar grumbled. The hefty dragon looked as if she were barely listening to your husband, but you soon found that it was quite the opposite.

Vhagar did heed his commands, and underneath you the ground shook as she moved around. Almost like she was positioning herself, getting herself into the right angle so that Aemond could comfortably mount her.

So that you could mount her.

“Come, my love. She has granted my wish for you to join me.”

You gulped as Aemond held out his hand for you, nerves eating you alive as he awaited for you to join him by the dragon’s side. You hadn’t been this nervous ever since your wedding day—and even then you were sure you didn’t sweat half as much as you were right now.

Clammy hands are what met your husband’s, Aemond giving you a look as you slowly allowed him to pull you towards the beast’s side. You could barely contain your beating heart but the soft tugs and gentle touches from your husband are enough to calm you down a little. At least enough for you finally get close without collapsing all together, Aemond taking your bare hand and lacing it with his before gently setting it on top of Vhagar’s rough hide.

Like you expected, the dragon felt hot and her thick scales had been softened by age. By all means, she was exactly what you pictured a dragon being like. But you had to admit—she was eerily calm as your fingers ghosted over her. Something you weren’t expecting but clearly Aemond was by the way he smiled a bit.

“See?” Aemond’s eye glinted as Vhagar softly growled but still allowed you to touch her. “I told you there was nothing to worry about, sweet wife. She clearly likes you; probably even more than she does me.”

“Well, I guess it wouldn’t be the first time, dear husband,” You laughed shakily, earning a sharp, playfully glare from Aemond. He stood by closely and allowed you to keep stroking Vhagar’s hide before eventually taking your hand again.

Clasping your fingers together, you shared a look and you knew what that meant. Gulping, you let out a breath as Aemond nudged you forward and encouraged you to take the first step towards riding; placing your feet in the ladder and climbing onto the back of the dragon.

Since Vhagar was so large, it was impossible to mount her without doing this. And so, steadily your feet ascended, one after the other as Aemond followed closely behind.

You could feel the encouraging hands of you husband nudging your thighs as you aimed to reach Vhagar’s saddle, ensuring that you would not fall backwards as you climbed. Grateful for this small act of affection, you briefly smiled and then when you finally reached the top, you paused.

You examined the reins which were worn by the various riders of Vhagar and the sheer size of the mount. If that did not help put into perspective how large this dragon was, you didn’t know what would. Of course, you knew that she was huge but staring at the added space of the saddle had your jaw dropped.

Easily, Vhagar could have carried at least twenty people on her own. Maybe even more.

If it was not for the fact that Dragons only bonded with one rider, you had no doubts she could be used as a very useful mode of transportation.

Luckily though, your husband was the only one that held any sort of claims to her. And now you—sort of—as you settled between Aemond and the reigns of the saddle.

Behind you, you felt your husband shifting as he gathered the ropes and all the proper measure before the two of you took flight. He took extra care doing this, making sure that every precaution was met so that no danger would be presented to you.

You found that most of the safety ropes were wrapped around your waist which left Aemond vulnerable a little. If something were to happen or if Vhagar turned upside down, he would not be as protected as you.

Briefly, this caused you to frown but then you chastised yourself for not believing in your husband. Of course—he had done this plenty of times, ever since the age of ten. Now nine and ten, Aemond was sure to know what he was doing and how to control his own dragon.

You did not need to fear for your husband, only seek his warmth as your back pressed to his.

“Are you almost ready, ñuha jorrāelagon?” My love. You smiled briefly as Aemond purred in your ear, turning your body slightly so that you could look him in the eye. Already finding him staring at you with a soft expression, you nodded and then pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, dōna valzȳrys,” You sighed, the organs in your stomach beginning to twist and turn with anxiety.

You hadn’t even taken flight yet but you were already nervous. As one should be when riding a literal dragon for the first time, but deep down you knew that you had nothing to fear.

Not when you had your sweet husband with you.

Aemond would never let anything happen to you, and it was this thought that calmed you enough to stay still as Vhagar shook and groaned.

After a few commands from your Lord Husband, she was ready to take flight. And you gulped as your body began swaying along with her, holding on for dear life as she walked towards the edge of the cliff and then made her descent.

A scream—no perhaps a shout of caution got stuck in your throat as she dived downhill, not even being able to release it due to the backlash of the wind. The very particles seemed to nip at your face and all but rendered you breathless, your body going limp as Aemond laughed behind you.

Out of everything, you weren’t expecting your husband to laugh at your misfortune. But alas, while his beast was busy trying to take flight, he leaned forward and caught a glimpse of your face. Priceless—you were sure it had to be. Yours cheeks all but molded by the wind and your mouth open with a silent scream.

Aemond shook behind you, and you breathed like you had never done so before as Vhagar finally straightened out. Her wings spread, and finally you were granted the pleasure of sanity as she flew through the skies.

“See? That was not so bad, my love,” Aemond teased.

You had some not so nice words your husband but you decided to hold your tongue since he was being nice today. Letting you ride Vhagar, which slowly became a more pleasant experience the further you got into your venture.

Eventually, you had stopped holding your breath and allowed yourself to really and truly enjoy the experience of riding a dragon, opting to keep your eyes open to ogle at the sights below you.

It was like Vhagar was touching the skies and you saw everything from mountains, to lakes, to people in boats that ogled you as you shook the water.

Everything that you could possibly imagine, right there under your fingertips. The beautiful sights and land on display only for you; and your husband as he leaned into you.

Eventually, Aemond had taken to relaxing as well once he was sure Vhagar was at a steady pace. This allowed him start pointing certain things out, filling you in on all the things he had seen while you nodded.

You loved hearing him talk about his ventures, especially during a time where you were both so relaxed. It was rare to see your husband look so peaceful, carefree in a way he was not on land. That’s because up in the skies, there existed no worries, no duties. Just the two of you and the soft lulling of Vhagar’s wings.

It made you hum, and it let you savior this moment like it was going to be your last one earth. Your last memory would be of the heavens opening up to you.

As she flew, that’s exactly what it felt like. And perhaps now you understood why people always claimed that Targaryen’s were closer to Gods than men; for now you knew that no man, not even yourself, could ever replicate this kind of serenity without the likes of dragons.

[rrcraft-and-lore]

The demon, Hiranyakashipu, and the Welsh hero, Lleu Llaw Gyffes -- what do they have in common?

Well, something I've talked a lot about before in some other threads that can be boiled down (a touch unfairly and we'll get into that) into the myth/trope of impenetrability or weakness. The idea of a character (usually a hero, sometimes a villain/monster) having "NO" weaknesses (terms and conditions apply - see: they have ONE you just might not know it).

So, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, Welsh hero, he cannot be killed during the day or night, nor indoors or outdoors, neither riding nor walking, not clothed and not naked, nor by any weapon lawfully made.

Interestingly enough Hiranyakashipu has a very similar condition - the demon, manages to get a boon from the creator god, Brahma at first he asks for immortality, which he is denied. However, he manages to sort of work his way there with a loophole (only...that loop was certainly holed back at him - as it often is in old epics and tales).

He wished that he could not meet death by any living entities created by god, that he could not fall during true day time or night, nor on the ground or sky, or by animal or man, and he continues to lay his conditions as such can't be killed by a god, or a demon, or a snake from a lower plane of existence.

Only...enter Vishnu, a god who is not Brahma who did not create the demon, or others. To get around this, Vishnu becomes the incarnation and avatar of himself, Narasimha

Not mortal man, or god, or demon, or full animal. But something between them all, he grabs the demon and places him on his lap - thus he is no longer in the sky or ground, and it is done at twilight (not day or night but between - the transition), and he rips him apart with his clawed hands - not a made weapon, but something natural. Both Lleu Llaw Gyffes and the demon Hiranyakashipu had progenitors and thus grandfathers.

Interestingly enough Lleu is the grandson of: Beli Mawr or Beli the Great. Our demon is the descendent of Mahabali or Bali Maharaj - Bali the Great, Bali the King (demon king in this case).

Now, I've talked about the similarities of myths and tropes and beats in epics and tales out of these two (and other cultures) before and it's likely owing to shared P.I.E. (proto indo european) origins backed up by shared genetic ancestry scientists have discovered linking Indians and Celts to the P.I.E group not to mention the etymological similarities. The differences here are one is a hero, and thus his weakness is not exploited in full and he doesn't die. 

Going back though, we have German story of Siegfried the dragonslayer, who bathes in the blood of Fafnir after killing him (due to a broken scale/exposed weakness in the armor - hi smaug), and thus himself gets invulnerable/impenetrable skin (terms and conditions apply) where the leaf of a linden (lime tree) sticks to his back preventing it from being coated in protective dragon's blood. Later his lover is tricked into divulging his weak spot (something similar happens to Lleu only he survives) and in this case Siegfried is killed. 

This is just one of many connections in shared myths around the world/tropes/beats and how other parts play out differently (some cultures also just love taking things to a much darker place - stares). LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE.

Anywhoooo there's a small fun little myth.

[imtrashraccoon]

Dragon Au Headcanons?

if you have anything at the moment.

I wrote out bullet points days ago but kept forgetting to actually expand on them... Oh well, here's some little things I thought of, as well as, a few things you sent me. :3 (I should mention that this is all in regards to their dragon forms and not the gaster blaster/humanoid ones.)

The Dark Fortress: Dragon AU Headcanons

They're essentially immortal in the sense that they only grow stronger with age and they aren't affected by most physical ailments. It is technically possible to kill them but their scales make them nigh invulnerable to most weapons so anyone who tries will need the aid of magic. Fortunately for them, mages tend to be rather squishy.

All of them like being pet or groomed, but only by their mortal friend and they all react differently to the idea with some being more open to it than others.

Donovan will only let you touch him when no one else is around and even then, you better not make a big deal out of it. He's a big powerful dragon and you're a puny little mortal; he's letting you live so you better be grateful. Just don't stop halfway through or you'll have a grumpy dragon on your hands.

Dirk loves getting attention, nearly as much as he loves causing mayhem, and you'd be lucky to get him to sit still for ten minutes. He doesn't care if others are around, if anything he'll gloat that you're giving him attention instead, just don't be too affectionate or he might become more unpredictable than usual.

Maul seems like he could care less if you touch him or not and he'll often let you do whatever, so long as you don't approach him from the right side (his blind spot) first. Truthfully, he really likes your attention but as he's a dragon of few words, so you'll have to figure it out through body language.

Reven is in-between. He mostly keeps to himself so you'll have to go out of your way to give him attention. He definitely ignored you at first, hoping you'll get bored and leave, but when you don't, he realizes that he actually really likes the attention.

All dragons have the compulsion to create and protect hordes and these boys are no exception.

Naturally, Donovan has the largest horde although his is mostly books and gold. He's very particular about where everything goes and will get upset if anyone moves or destroys anything.

Dirk mostly collects sharp things, particularly if they're shiny. Although, this isn't limited to weapons as evident by all the cutlery littering his den.

Before being cursed, Maul already had a bit of a problem with the thought of food scarcity and he actively preserved any food he could. Now, his instincts have been magnified and he regularly goes out of his way to hunt and steal any food he can find.

Reven wasn't much of a hoarder before, unless you count him keeping track of all the murders he perpetuated. Now, he likes to collect soft things like scarves, blankets, flags, etc. It would actually be kind of sweet if these weren't collected from the victims of raids he regularly goes on.

You'd think that being a super powerful dragon is all that, right?

Well that's what Donovan thinks anyways, although sometimes he does find himself missing his tendrils or wishing he could read a book without accidentally tearing the pages.

Dirk loves his new form, however he can't exactly pull any partners with how large he is now.

Maul has possibly the hardest time adapting out of all of the boys since he's even more clumsy than before.

Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, Reven could care less, especially since he can kill things easier in this form.

They actually really like when you tag along for adventures, although don't get any ideas of becoming a dragon rider anytime soon.

Donovan will smack you over the head with his wing if you ever bring up the idea of saddling him.

Dirk may not mind too much as he's hard to keep up with even on the ground, but don't let the others know.

Maul welcomes the idea since you can watch out for threats and he knows exactly where you are at any given time.

Reven doesn't like the idea either but he'll give in after he realizes that it isn't very safe to ride him without a saddle.

Each of them have their own way of fighting although some of their techniques have been simplified now that they're massive creatures.

Donovan prefers to use his tails to send foes flying in close combat but otherwise uses his breath weapon or magic.

Dirk almost exclusively uses a special blade he fitted to the tip of his tail, although his bite packs a mean poison too.

Maul prefers the simple approach of throwing his weight around and he makes good use of his claws, teeth, horns, and even wings.

Reven actually switches up his fighting style, opting to use his breath weapon and magic rather than getting up close to enemies.

As dragons, they enjoy being worshipped or admired to some degree.

Donovan already desired to rule over the whole world and this desire was only heightened. He demands respect from everyone - be they human, monster, or beast alike.

Dirk revels in the idea of being revered. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be a good ruler at all as he has no experience and his ego would be his own downfall.

Maul can't deny that it's appealing when people admire and respect him. Although, the poor guy doesn't want to actually rule over anyone and his trauma would likely hinder his ability to do so.

Reven definitely gets a power trip whenever people fall on their face and beg him for mercy. He also has no interest in ruling as he'd sooner slaughter anyone stupid enough to stick around when he's raiding a village.

They each have scars; some that carried over from their old forms and some new ones.

Donovan has poc marks on his wings as the corruption didn't mesh well with his dragon form at first and his right eye is still covered by said corruption.

Dirk mostly has new scars from weapon strikes, thanks to him preferring to get up and close in a fight, but his warped soul is still the same.

Maul actually had his scars carry over, as evidenced by his right horn being broken and being blind in the same eye.

Reven hasn't sustained any obvious new scars but you wouldn't really be able to tell if he even has any in the first place since he tries to conceal them with his hood and wings.

[dazzling-raven]

This got way out of hand. 'Oh, I should write a little drabble to go along with the drawing I'm working on! Ittl be fun!' 6,000 words later and here we are. It was fun, I don't have regrets, but oh my gosh. Massive thank you to Inky Clawz on wofa for being my beta reader/editor. If anyone actually reads through the whole thing thank you for reading about my little guys ^^

It all started with a letter. A single letter. It was a pale yellow in color. Small, and unassuming. It didn’t even have a wax seal. “It’s from your mother. She understands if you don’t open it, but in my opinion it would be best if you did.” The messenger had said, then backed away. At first Chip had been confused as to how she had even found his address, but then he remembered that he and his husband ran what could probably be considered two of the most popular shops in the SkyWing kingdom. Dragons came from all over to try Chip’s wonderfully unique pastries or get cleverly crafted tattoos done by his husband’s talons. Some just came to look at them and talk. It wasn’t every day you saw a SeaWing in the Sky Kingdom, much less an ivory white and orange one. His husband was no different- he was an ‘illusive’ NightWing, and a good looking one at that. If they weren’t head turners already, jaws would drop to the ground once dragons caught sight of their wedding bands. Word of mouth travels faster than any advertisement could, after all. 

Chip found himself avoiding the letter for days- he had even considered tearing the letter into little shreds on more than one occasion. However, his husband, Voyant, had noticed that Chip had been acting off as of late. Because of course he did. He had known ever since meeting him that fateful day that NightWing powers were all a lie, but he might as well have been a mind reader with how quickly he was able to catch on to Chip’s emotions. After tucking their adorable little dragonet into bed (and reading ‘The Ten Little Scavengers’ to him for the tenth time) he had trotted into the living room where a fire was already waiting for him. His heart melted at the sight of his husband, who had been curled upon their rug. He had been sketching out a new design, his black, forked tongue poked out between his fangs in concentration. 

His black scales gleamed in the firelight, and if you angled your head just right you could see a faint purple shine dance across them. His pearl white underbelly rose and fell with each breath, and the dual crescent shaped silver scales behind his eyes glimmered softly. “See something you like?” His husband asked with a coy smile, stretching out slightly and resting the pencil on the floor. 

“Just admiring a work of art.” Chip replied smoothly, walking over to him with a grin. He bent down and gently bonked his husband’s head with his own, then curled into his side. Voyant’s tail immediately intertwined with his, and Chip felt his husband drape his wing over his smaller form. The two sat there for a while, and for a moment Chip let himself go. He felt so comfortable and safe in his husband’s embrace, and he never wanted this moment to end. He listened to his husband talk about his day, but he felt his gaze wandering back to the piece of paper sitting on their countertop. Still unopened. 

“Is it about the letter?” Voyant asked abruptly, having followed Chip’s stare. The SeaWing immediately felt like trash for not giving his husband his full attention, but he nodded. 

“Yeah. M’sorry about not saying anything sooner, but…” he hesitated, his claws fiddling with the red bandanna still tied around his husband’s neck. 

“It’s been hard? Scary, even? Not knowing what’s inside?” Bingo. Voyant always knew how to word things better than he ever could have. The SeaWing nodded, almost wishing he could curl up into a ball and disappear. He didn’t though, instead focusing on his husband’s slow, even breaths as he steadied his nerves. 

“I know, it’s silly. We fought in countless battles, rescued Solaris from the talons of Scarlet herself, and I got my legs *burnt by lava* and I can’t even handle a few words written on a scroll.” Chip growled, clenching his talons in anger. 

“I don’t think so. We both know what she did and how she treated you. Sometimes words can hurt more than the sharpest of swords or the hottest fires. It’s ultimately your choice, but running away from the ink on that paper and not knowing what she wrote could eat away at you later down the line.” The NightWing said, taking Chip’s talons in his own and rubbed them to get them to relax. 

Chip felt the rage seep away from his scales as he took in Voyant’s words. Then he smiled. “Wow, I never knew you were a wordsmith. Hey, which ghost in the room possessed my husband this time? I'd like him back, please! We’re trying to have a serious and emotional conversation here!” Chip said, grinning as his husband’s face went from serious, to confused, and finally mock offense as the SeaWing looked around the room, smiling like an idiot. 

“Well Ex-CUSE me, your majesty. If you don’t want my help I'll just pack my things and take our son for a nice vacation. I think the SandWing kingdom is looking for some new visitors. I’ve heard that they fancy poetry that you simply don’t appreciate.” The NightWing said in a faux snobby voice, standing up in a semi graceful movement and walking a few paces away.

“Wait, I- pfft- I’m sorry-” Chip said, his quick apology interrupted by gasps of laughter as he stumbled to his feet like a drunken idiot. 

“Nope! You’ve officially missed your chance, Mr. Seastar. Come back next year when the almighty and powerful Voyant is back in town. Then, and only then, you may even THINK kissing his talons and winning back his heart.” The NightWing said, smiling as he lifted a paw into the air and pretended to admire the imaginary jewelry on his claws. 

“Mr. Voyant, please! Just one more chance? I promise I’ll make it up to you!” Chip pleaded with a grin, finally steadying himself as he giggled to himself. 

Voyant paused as if considering Chip’s plea, then nodded. “All right, SeaWing. What’s in it for me?” 

“This,” Chip said, closing the gap between them. He held a talon to Voyant’s face, and guided him in for a kiss. It was clunky and awkward with how the both of them were giggling, but that’s what made it special. “That work for you, Voyant the great and powerful?” He smirked, relishing in his husband’s surprise. 

Voyant snorted and rolled his eyes, but nodded all the same. “Fine, I could get used to this.” He said definitively. “Consider yourself forgiven,” Chip grinned, giving him a quick kiss as a little bonus for putting up with his tomfoolery. 

The two of them quieted their giggles and sobered up after a bit, sitting right there on their polished wooden floor. They lingered in the comfortable silence for a while, before Chip decided to break it. “I’m going to read it. Do you think you could… stay with me?” He asked, looking at his husband with hope.  

“Of course. Let’s go back to the rug.” The NightWing said, standing up and trotting over to their previous spot. Chip nodded, grabbing the letter and following after him. He easily snuggled into his husband’s side, resuming the position they had been in previously. Chip paused as he looked at the scroll in his talons, but unraveled it as his husband gently nudged him with his head. 

“My dearest dragonet

Dear Seastar, 

I apologize that this letter has only been spurred on by recent events. As your mother, I should have done more to try and reach out to you sooner to rekindle our decaying relationship. I would also like to take this moment to apologize for everything I have ever done to wrong you. As a parent, It should have been my duty to protect and guide you through life. Instead, you ended up taking care of me. I snapped, and you were banished with me by my own fault. It wasn’t right. I have no idea where you are in life. Are you happy? Are you sad? Are you married? Do I have grandchildren? I may never know the answers to those questions, and you have all the rights to keep that knowledge from me. However, as stated above, I am writing to you now to inform you that I don’t have very much time left on this continent. I am fading due to an injury I received near the end of the war. I hadn’t realized how bad it was until it was too late, and I’ve been using my final months to reflect on past events. Funny, how dying makes you think. I would like to talk and apologize to you in person. I’m aware that apologizing to you via scroll isn’t the best way to handle things, but I doubt you’re ready to see my face and I don’t think I could make the journey anyways. If you are willing to visit, I am staying at The Hearthstone Haven in the SandWing Kingdom. It’s in a quaint little village near the coast. I understand if you’d rather stay as far away as possible, however. It is entirely your choice. 

Wishing you all the best in your future years, your mother”

The two of them sat in silence for a moment, digesting what they had just read. Chip hadn’t realized he had been shaking or crying until his talons began to crease the page and his tears dropped onto the paper. Voyant’s eyes widened in surprise and he gently took the note from him. “She makes me so *angry*, Voyant. And the worst part is that I know she’s being completely genuine.” He growled, snuggling further into Voyant’s side and hiding his face in the crook of his husband’s shoulder. He hated when Voyant saw him cry, but he didn’t know what to feel. He was angry. Sad. Regretful. Hopeful. Did he want to even see her again? Yes! …No. It was complicated. Chip was thankful that Voyant let him hide away until he was ready to look at him again. When he was, he took a shuddering breath and gave his husband a gentle nudge. “Can we leave this for another day? It’s late and we both need rest.” 

His husband’s eyes widened a bit, clearly expecting him to say something else, but agreed nonetheless. “Let’s. You look exhausted, and I bet I don’t look much better.” 

Chip snorted, agreeing with that statement. They both stood up and stretched, then walked off to their shared bedroom. Voyant placed the scroll on the simple nightstand that was next to their bed, and they both snuggled up for the third time that night. This time, however, they both managed to drift into dreamland.

-

Chip hummed to himself as he made everyone breakfast. He had purchased salmon for himself and Voyant that morning, and was now cooking it over their fire. It wasn’t very often that he was able to have fish, and he had jumped at the chance when he found a traveling SeaWing merchant that had been selling them. Keeping an eye on Voyant’s fish (he preferred his raw), he trotted back over to their open kitchen. He wandered around their island to get to their water basin, dipping his talons in to wash them. Once he finished, he plodded over to where he had left his son’s breakfast. He picked up the knife from the cutting board and began chopping up grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, and other various fruits and scraped it into a smooth wooden bowl. Fruit was also fairly uncommon, but he was friends with one of the few SkyWings that sold it in the sky kingdom. He was always willing (and thankfully able) to pay a little extra to give his son the food he preferred, though he usually got his at a cheeky little discount.  

“Daddy!” Speak of the devil and he shall appear. His son bounded over to him, his scales a bright, vibrant gold mixed in with his usual forest green. “OOh, what’s that? OHMYGOSH, is it FRUIT?!” He asked, spotting the colorful food as he jumped onto Chip’s back. 

“Woah! Hey, Morning to you, too, kid! Careful, I’ve got a knife. Hey, why don’t you go wake up your Pappa for me? Sneak attack style, like how I taught you.” Chip said, laughing as he put the knife back onto the cutting board. “Once you’ve done that, I’ve got a special question for you. Ok?” He asked, grinning as he tried to turn around and look at his kid. 

“Ooo, Ok! I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” the little RainWing nodded, orange and purple now bursting through his scales like fireworks. He began to breathe calmly, the color sliding from his scales like water as he faded seamlessly into the background. His feet were even the colors of Chip’s scales. “Like this?” He whispered, and Chip grinned and nodded. Gold burst through random patches of air before they disappeared again, and Chip felt a weight lift from his back. The only thing that gave him away was the quiet sounds of giggling. Chip felt a strong sense of pride and adoration as he looked at where he thought his son was, then remembered the now quite done salmon on the fire and quickly rushed to get it on a plate. It wasn’t burnt, but it was definitely quite smokey. Chip sighed in relief, walking over to the low mahogany table and set Voyant’s plate down. He’d forgive him for what was about to happen after he saw what was for breakfast.  

“BOO!” 

“YEOWCH! Ok, message received! I’m up, I’m up! No claws, you little monster. Hey! Ohh, I’m gonna get you for that one!” Chip heard Voyant shout, quickly followed by a streak of gold-yellow as the little RainWing shot out of their bedroom. “You’ve awakened the big, bad Darkstalker! He’s come for you and your soul! He’s going to put you in a stew and gobble you up! ROARGH!” Voyant shouted, grinning as he stampeded over to their son. 

“NO! Go ‘way! Can’t catch me!” Their son yelled gleefully, flapping his little wings to gain momentum as he leapt onto the countertop. 

“Watermelon, no countertops!” Chip chided, smiling as he watched his free morning entertainment.

“No! I have the high ground!” His son retorted, balancing on his hind legs to make himself look taller. “Go back to the darkness from where you came, you evil beast!” he commanded, stumbling slightly as he pointed at his husband with a small, light gray claw. 

“Never! Simple words do not work on the Darkstalker, little boy! Only a true hero can defeat him! ROAR!” Voyant shouted again, grabbing his son by the underarms and bringing him close with a quick movement. “Prepare to be stew!” 

“No! Pappa- Staph-” Watermelon said, shrieking with laughter as he tried to push Voyant’s head away from him to no avail. Voyant made an ‘om nom nom’ kind of noise as he pretended to feast on their son, his shoulders shaking with barely concealed laughter. 

“Ok, you two. Before The Darkstalker gets full on little RainWing, does he perhaps want to see what’s actually for breakfast?” Chip asked, gesturing to the table with his wing.

“Perhaps he does. Alright, little child. Consider yourself spared and the victory yours. I’ve tortured you enough.” Voyant said, laughing as he settled their son down. 

“HA! That’s right! Now go back and give me back my Papa!” Their son ordered, spreading his red wings and puffing out his light gray underbelly with pride. Voyant, a good natured father, rolled his eyes. He followed his son's demands and retreated to his bedroom once more. As he did, Chip snuck around their son’s small frame and grabbed their breakfasts. His husband stayed in their room just long enough for him to be able to set them on the table. “What happened?” He asked, faking being delirious as he looked around the room.

“Pappa! You were possessed by the Darkstalker! You were going to turn me into stew, but me an’ Daddy saved you before you could eat me!” Watermelon cried, running over to the NightWing and doing his best to hug his forearm. 

“Did you now? Well, aren’t you a brave little hero?” He asked, rubbing his son’s back before looking over to Chip with a fond smile.

“Yeah! The bestest ever! I’m gonna save the world one day!” The RainWing proclaimed, grinning proudly. 

“Well, heroes can’t survive on moxie and pride alone, can they? They need nutrition to get themselves through battles. Like Ironheart, remember? He would want you to let go of your Papa’s leg and get big and strong.” Chip said, chuckling as his son’s eyes sparkled at the mention of his favorite NightWing hero. 

“Ohmygosh, yeah! Fruit for breakfast!” His son cheered, releasing Voyant’s leg and scrambling over to the table. He was just barely tall enough to peek his head over the wooden surface, so Voyant went and retrieved the dragonet’s stool for him to sit on. He hopped onto the stool with glee, then dragged the bowl close to him. As the two adults sat down at the head and tail of the table, Watermelon began to do his best to organize the fruit in the bowl before eating it. Chip smiled at this, thankful that his son remembered not to put the sticky fruit on the wood this time. He shouldn’t have been playing with his food at all, but at least this was an improvement. 

He looked at Voyant, who just smiled and rolled his eyes before eating his salmon. Chip, though previously excited for this meal, could only poke and pick at it as his thoughts began to wander back to the letter. Noticing this, Chip’s husband looked concerned and tilted his head. “Letter.” Chip mouthed to him, and Voyant nodded in understanding. Chip hesitated before nodding to his son, who was happily sticking the blueberries onto his claws and eating them off one by one. Voyant gave him an uncertain look, but shrugged as if to say ‘up to you.’ Chip sat for a few moments, eyeing his son as he began to pretend his fruit was a bunch of tiny scavengers that he was going to eat and destroy. “Watermelon” he said, his son’s head snapping towards him with wide eyes. “Do you remember the special question that I wanted to ask you?” 

The dragonet relaxed immediately before an orange purple mix burst through his scales again. “Yeah! I do!” He exclaimed, nodding vigorously. 

“If you had a family member that you had never heard of or seen before, would you still want to meet them? Even if they have no knowledge of you, either?” Chip asked, getting straight to the point. He knew that Watermelon was young, but he was a perceptive little dragonet. He would always surprise Chip and his husband with thoughtful answers or observations when they thought he wasn’t even paying attention. 

Watermelon looked thoughtful, humming briefly and forgetting the fruit on the table. “I think so. I could get to know them and we could be best friends!” He chirped happily, then went quiet. “Is this about Nanna?” He asked, blue and a darkish purple overtaking most of his scales. “I heard you talking about her last night.” He clarified when he and Voyant shared surprised glances. 

“Yes, this is about Nanna. It’s ok that you heard us, I’m sorry if we woke you. Would you still like to see her? You can say no if you really don’t want to.” Chip said after a brief hesitation. 

“I wanna meet her. Even if it won’t be for very long, I still want her to know me.” His dragonet said quietly, suddenly finding the table to be very interesting. 

“All right. We’ll figure something out. Why don’t you finish your breakfast? Then we can go play with Tor once you’re done.” Chip said, smiling as gold overtook the unhappy colors on his son’s scales. 

“YAY! Ok!” His son agreed heartily, gobbling up the remainder of the fruit before dashing into his room. 

“Are you sure about this?” Voyant asked simply, finishing his breakfast. 

“Yes. Even if I don’t really want to see her myself, I want to show her you two and what a family should actually look like. Not whatever the hell my childhood was.” Chip said, finishing his own breakfast. Even if he wasn’t hungry anymore, it was still good food that he didn’t want to waste. 

Voyant sighed, but relented. “Ok. I’ll be with you every step of the way”

- 

The odd little family stood at the entrance of The Hearthstone Haven. It had taken them a while to get here, with Chip leaving his bakery in the trustworthy talons of one of his squadmates and Voyant’s head manager taking over his shop. They didn’t really know how long they were going to stay - weeks? A day? An hour? So they had taken preparations to make sure everything was taken care of back home. Chip had written to his mother to let her know that they indeed were coming to visit, but not for how long. It was a terse letter, but it had gotten his point across. “All right. Let’s do this.” Chip said, using the pushing open the large twin doors. 

The three of them walked the short distance to the receptionist’s desk, coming face to face with a bored looking SandWing.“Hi, we’re here to see Acropora?” Chip said, though it sounded more like a question than a statement.

The SandWing’s eyes narrowed as he took the group in, his black, soulless eyes staring each of them down. Chip could feel Voyant step closer to him, and his son stayed firmly behind him. “Seastar?” The SandWing eventually asked, his voice sounding slow and nasally as he worded out each syllable of his name.

“Yes, that’s me.” Chip said, nodding.

“The others?” The SandWing asked, his gaze flickering to the two unannounced dragons. 

“My son, Watermelon, and my husband, Voyant.” Chip said, giving the dragon the most winning smile he could. 

The older dragon only sighed, rolling his eyes. “Down the hall and to the left. Her room will have a nameplate. If you need anything from me, no you don’t.” The SandWing stated firmly, promptly going back to his work. 

‘Squid brain’ Chip thought, frowning at the dragon before realizing what he was doing. “Yes, thank you!” he said, switching to his much more polite customer service voice before ushering his family in the direction the receptionist had vaguely given them.  

“If I ever get like that, please force me into a home and don’t look back. Ever.” Voyant said once they were out of earshot, and Chip let out a surprised laugh. 

“Voyant!” He scolded, smacking him over the head with his wing.

“Yeah, Pappa! Stop being mean!” Their son chimed in, his previously light green scales fading back to forest green and the occasional random bursts of gold. 

“Me? He looked like he was going to stab us with his eyes! And you think I’m being mean?” Voyant squawked, groaning as his son just laughed at him. “All right, fine. You win! You always win.” The Nightwing said, smiling as he scooped his giggling son up and put him on his back. Chip and his son shared twin grins before he noticed his mother’s nameplate on one of the doors. His smile faded as he took in the sight of the simple oak. It wasn’t anything impressive, but he still felt intimidated by it. He hadn’t thought of what he was going to say until now. Would they cry? Would she sweep him into her wings and never let go? Or would he snap at her, ask her why she betrayed the trust of him? Their Ex-Queen? If it weren’t for him, she would have gotten herself and the two guards just trying to do their jobs killed that night. “Do you need us to go in with you?” his husband asked, standing beside him and brushing his wing with Chip’s own. 

Chip jumped a little, having forgotten that they were there, but shook his head. “Knowing you two are out here is enough for me.” He said, smiling as he leaned his head against Voyant’s before taking a deep breath. “Wish me luck?” He asked, claw on the doorknob. 

“Good luck Daddy!” His son chimed, scrambling off his husband’s back to give Chip a hug. Chip hugged him back, and Voyant joined them. 

After a beat or two, Chip backed out of the hug to take another breath. “Stay out here with your Papa, ok? I’ll let you know if you can come in.” His son nodded, stepping back as Chip finally opened the door. He had to blink to get his eyes to adjust to the light of the room, but when he did one of the first things he saw was his mother. She had her back turned to him, so he hadn’t been noticed yet. The room she was staying in was small, but three medium sized dragons could move about comfortably if they kept their wings and tails to themselves. The room was mostly bare aside from the black carpeted floor and the white walls. His mother was standing at a desk facing the window, reading something on a scroll. Some plants hung on the walls in an attempt to bring some energy to the place, and it did help a little. They were bright and vibrant with life. “Mother?” Chip called, stepping through and closing the door behind him. 

His mother jumped in surprise, nearly knocking the scroll off of her desk as she turned around. “By all the whales, does no one know how to knock in this moons-blasted building? Who the- ah.” She said, cutting herself off once she realized who it was. The two of them stood quietly for a moment, neither really sure what to say. For the most part, his mother looked the same as the day he had left her. Same light blue scales. Her underbelly was still the same color of finely ground, pure sand. Her wings were still a quiet shade of gray-blue. Her aquatic markings were slightly darker than the rest of her scales, and her horns were still the color of a cloudy day. The only noticeably different things about her were the blue glasses that rested on her snout, curling elegantly around her horns, and the bandages that were wrapped around her chest, protecting her heart. It wasn’t much, but still something to keep things from getting any worse. “I’m surprised you actually showed up. I know you wrote back, but still. It’s… nice to see you in person.” She said, moving closer before stopping herself. Chip said nothing. 

“You’re right. I should not have done what I did, nor said what I spoke. I am owed nothing from you. I was not in the best of places that day, though that is not an excuse. Then you stepped in and threw everything away for me. I should have died in that throne room, but you defended me. You could have just stood by and let it happen, but you didn’t. Ever since he left us, it was a downward spiral for me. I miss him every day, and he makes me angry for your sake. Then we were in the desert. You were handling everything better than most would have, despite everything. But I couldn’t hold it in anymore. It was all just too much, and I wrongly lashed out at you. For that, Seastar, I am truly sorry.” His mother said, sitting down. Her tail curled around her talons, and they were both quiet as Chip processed what his mother had said. 

“It’s Chip.” He finally said, stepping away from the door and closer to her. 

“What?” She asked, looking incredibly confused.

“What I prefer to be called. I haven’t used the name Seastar since getting put into my squad.” He informed her, smiling a little. He moved to sit down next to her. 

“Oh. Ok, Chip.” She nodded, accepting the change as it came. 

“I don’t forgive you. At least, not yet. You made everything incredibly difficult. I never wanted to fight for Burn. I wanted to fight for Coral and my tribe. But I do have to thank you. I realize that if everything was perfect, I would have never achieved all my accomplishments. I would have never met my husband, or adopted my dragonet. I’m only here because they wanted to know you. If not for them, I would have torn that letter to shreds without opening it. It will take time, but maybe, just maybe, we can at least make things work.” Chip said, watching his mother’s expression change from understanding to surprise and joy as she processed what she had just heard. 

“Husband? Dragonet? Sea- Chip, when did this happen?” She asked, excitedly grabbing his talons before she realized what she was doing. 

Chip grunted in surprise as all of his weight was suddenly shifted onto his bad legs, but he quickly masked the strained expression he had made with a laugh and a smile. His mother quickly apologized to him, setting his talons down again. “A while ago. Would you like to meet them? I think it would be best if they heard everything from you and if we shared our story together.”

“That would be wonderful.” His mother said, her dark blue eyes bright with excitement. 

Chip stood up with a smile, then walked over to the door to let his family in. “Ok, It’s go time.” He said, and Voyant walked in, their son close behind him. “This is Voyant, and this kiddo here is Watermelon.” He said, introducing both dragons in turn. 

“A NightWing! And a good looking one at that. How did you manage to snatch this one up?” His mother asked, a teasing grin on her snout. 

“His charm.” Voyant answered simply, sitting down next to him. 

“Um. Hi Nanna! I’m Watermelon!” His son introduced himself again, his scales a combination of light green and gold as he bounded up to her. 

“Watermelon! Hey, kiddo! You’re so big! How old are you?” His mother asked excitedly, easily matching his enthusiasm. 

“I’m two an’ a half!” He squeaked, grinning proudly.

“Wow, that’s amazing! I know where you got your good looks from, too.” Chip’s mother said, gleefully watching her grandson’s scales quickly turn to a light violet. 

“Oh! Nanna, look what I can do! It’s really cool!” he said enthusiastically, then concentrated as he studied Chip’s mother for a brief moment. Suddenly, light blue scales washed over their son like a waterfall, and a miniature version of Chip’s mother was standing before them. He was an exact copy of her. 

“That’s incredible! A little freaky, but incredible.” Chip’s mother said, sending a stunned glance to Chip and his husband. Both parents just looked proudly at their son.

After a few minutes of watching the two of them interact, Chip finally decided to clear his throat to get their attention. “All right, we can pick this up at a later time. Why don’t I get us something to eat and we’ll talk over dinner?” He asked,and his mother nodded. 

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” His mother said, nodding. “I know the cutest little places to eat, but I was thinking that I could treat the three of you. You came all this way, after all. Is that all right?” She asked, tilting her head. 

Chip perked up in surprise, and after sharing a glance with his husband, nodded. “All right, show us the way”

-

The four of them talked throughout dinner. Then some more. Then they got kicked out by the grouchy restaurant owner who just wanted to close up for the night and head home. Chip and Voyant talked, and both of them decided it would be good for them and his mother to stay and help take care of her. There were high days, and there were low days. But Chip could tell that his mother really was trying, and he genuinely appreciated it. In turn, Chip tried as well. While it would never be the same as it was before, it was something new. Maybe that was for the better.

He could tell, however, that she didn’t have much left in her. They all could, even Watermelon. That’s why they made every day an adventure. Something fun. Even when it rained and no one wanted to go out, there they were. A family of oddballs dancing in the rain and splashing in puddles. Then they would all go back and dry off, curl up together, and read a cozy book. 

“Chip,” His mother said one day, when it was just him and her. When he looked at her, she continued. “I want to thank you. You’ve made the past few months amazing for me. Some part of me was afraid that I would have no one in the end, but here you are. You’ve given me the chance to have a family again. I thought I had lost that forever when we were separated by Burn. I am eternally thankful that you decided to give me a second chance and not give up on me.” 

“I definitely had to sit on your letter for a while. But Voyant and Watermelon convinced me to see you, so you should really be thanking them. But I am glad to be here, and I can tell everyone else is, too. What’s this about?” He asked, tilting his head. 

“The drawer. Open it, and you’ll find your answer.” Chip did as he was told, and his heat sank. But then he kind of chuckled to himself as he continued. 

“I see. Are you sure you want to be set on fire though?” Chip asked with a grin, and his mother nodded. 

“Going out in a blaze of glory. I think the dragons of old had some pretty neat traditions, and that’s how I want to be remembered. Forget being buried, this is way cooler.” Chip’s mother said, matching her son’s smile. 

“Ok, I’ll see what I can do.” 

-

Chip sat on the beach, tears dripping down his snout. His mother had passed away hours prior, and his heart was tearing itself to shreds. He had forgiven her a long time ago, but he had only told her on her deathbed. He watched the ‘boat’ sail away, Voyant’s flames blazing brightly. His mother had wanted a warrior’s burial. She had read in old scrolls that there was once a tradition amongst one of the tribes to send their dragons out to sea and a family member would light the boat on fire. Their soul would rise with the flames, and their body would reunite with the ocean. Obviously Chip was unable to do so, but Voyant had complied at his mother’s request. 

Even though he had known this would happen, it still hurt. Perhaps it would have hurt less if he hadn’t showed up at all, instead choosing to stay home and continue running his business like there was nothing wrong. But Voyant would have been right. The letter would have eaten him up from the inside if he hadn’t even touched it. His son would have never gotten to meet his Nanna. Even though he hated seeing the blue on his son’s scales, he could still see patches of gold in them. He was upset, but enamored by the sight in front of them and comforted by the memories they had made. Voyant was sitting beside him, watching the flames eat away at the odd structure. 

Ultimately, Chip was glad he had opened the letter. 

[bigball-thefrog]

Not So Different Pt1: Dragon Sabo X Dragon Trainer User

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(Poll)

Alright so I'm back again, sorry if I'm taking too long, it's just extremely hot where I live and it's absolutely draining me of all energy. But I've brought the next voted idea from the pole and the second last one of the week! And yes you did read the total correctly, bec I will definitely be posting a part 2 of this!

Warnings/Tags:

Gender neutral reader

Talking about hunting and killing dragons

______________________________

Narrator POV

Sabo stood atop a cliff, glancing at his map then back at the forest below, not knowing where he was going but there was a destination at the end, and that's all that matters.

Sabo wasn't like most dragons that would pick a cave to live in and hoard something. No. He was a free spirit, and because he was a dragon, who could stop him from doing what he wanted. Freedom, adventure, with the only problem being solitude, that was the life of a dragon. He loved it though, but it could get lonely sometimes. Yes he had his brothers Luffy and Ace, but they had their own adventures, and once awhile all three brothers would by accident meet up and a new story for the history books would be created before the three parted ways again, destined to meet up again and and add a new story to the tales of the three dragon brothers. But then he'd be alone again, because who would want to be around a dragon such as himself. Folding his map and placing it in pocket, Sabo had planned his route and knew where to go. Spreading his arms out, Sabo leaned forward and fell off the cliff, before he hit the trees below, he aimed his head upwards and transformed. His body growing and morphing, clothes, skin and hair turning into beautiful white scales, eyes becoming sharper, hands growing talons, his back sprouting wings and a tail, and of course the fire in his heart coming to life once again as his new adventure began. Within the blink of an eye Sabo transformed from a young gentleman into a graceful white dragon, soaring through the air. His adventure had begun, and he had a feeling this one would be special.

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Landing in a small clearing, Sabo turned back into a human, this was to be his camp for the night. Catching some fish nearby Sabo made a fire and ate dinner. Tonight was peaceful, warm weather, clear starry skies, no sound but the crackling fire and nocturnal animals, singing their nighttime song. He enjoyed night like these, but he enjoyed nights like these better when he had someone to share stories with or just talk to... He missed his brothers but he knew it wouldn't be long before he saw them soon, he just wish it could be sooner. But he didn't need to mope about that now, he needed to go to bed! Because the sooner he went to bed, the sooner he would wake up and that would mean he could carry on sooner with his latest adventure. Putting out his fire, Sabo turned back into a dragon to sleep for the night, that way no nearby monsters would want to attack him.

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A snapping branch caught his attention. Sabo lifted his head and peered into the darkness of where the snapping sound came from, and quickly he found the silhouette of a person coming towards him, he raised his head further to see them better. Once they got close enough and thanks to their torch that he could see, you, he instantly looked at their clothes and scowled. He recognized those clothes, you came from a village known for their dragon hunting. He should've been more on guard, no he was facing someone that hunted his kind for trophies! He let out a low growl and stood up, so you knew he could see you. You stopped at a distance away from him and he could see your face, you seemed... Different... Your face didn't seem to hold any malice in it, but rather seemed kind... Still not trusting you he growled again, this time making smoke come out his nose as if to say "Go away or I will attack" but you didn’t move, you just held up your free hand, in a surrendering gesture. "Hey hey, take it easy, I'm not here to hurt you..." you said. Sabo was confused, why would a hunter not be there to hurt him? But he still didn't let his guard down and kept trying to sense for anymore hunters while keeping his eye on the one in front of him. But then you surprised him again, you threw a large leg of raw meat at him, were you trying to feed him?! He still didn't trust it, and he didn't eat raw meat, so he just left it.

You sighed, then sat down, "I'm not going to hurt you... I just want to... Tame you..." tame him?! Sabo hadn't heard of someone wanting to tame a dragon of all things, and you were from a village of hunters, why were you talking about taming what your village took pride in killing? Sabo didn't trust it and he could sense it was just you so he could easily fly away, but he didn't... He didn't know why but there was something different about you, maybe you were telling the truth. He thought about the thing you said about taming him and it amused him this time. He was more than just a simple dragon to be tamed, he was still half human, but your kind didn't know that. So he decided to tease play along with you. He sat back down and loafed, meaning he was calm. You perked up and looked surprised. Standing back up you inched closer to the dragon making sure to move sma steps at a time so as to not make him uncomfortable and aggravate him. Sabo just watched in amusemt as you got closer and stayed silent. Once you were right in front of him you spoke again, "Is it alright if I touch you?" you asked in a quiet and calm voice. Sabo lowered his head and you gently rubbed the scales. He let out a noise of contentment, both to play along with his joke, but also because your hands felt nice.

You eventually stepped back a bit and took off your bag, "Such a beautiful creature, my village is wrong with hunting your kind." you said and Sabo was pleased to hear that, it was unusual for humans to say that about dragons, almost everyone feared his kind, but he had gotten used to it by now. "You're such a pretty one, such beautiful white scales... I think I'll call you Nimbus," Nimbus?! What were you talking about?? Why on earth were you naming him, Sabo thought. Oh god, you were trying to turn him into a pet, weren't you? Now this was becoming hilarious! Not only were you trying to ame Sabo, but you were trying make him your pet! Sabo was holding back from laughing right in your face, but he had to continue, just to mess with you more. You started digging through your bag, and brought out a large Seattle and reigns, oh now this was getting even better! You were trying to ride him like a damm horse! "Alright Nimbus, is it alright if I put this on you?" you asked in a calming voice again, now Sabo just couldn't resist...

In the most clear, firm but amused voice, Sabo finally spoke to you, "No, I'd rather you not treat me like a horse." you dropped the saddle and your jaw, Sabo continued, "And my name is not Nimbus, it's Sabo actually." your jaw dropped even lower, and to make it all worse, Sabo transformed back into his human form making your jaw drop all the way to hell. "See, not just an animal you can tame like a pet. My kind isn't that stupid you know~" He said with a smirk, obviously enjoying your reaction. He got closer to you and when he touched your shoulder, you just collapsed, he managed to catch you and he just chuckled and looked you over, deciding what to do.

--------------------------------------------------

When you finally sat up you were laying next to a fire. You sat up, taking in your surroundings when you saw Sabo. He sat poking the fire until he saw you were awake and smiled, "Ah, you're finally awake. You didn't react well to my little surprise there~" he got up and sat next to you, "Are you alright? I didn't scare you too much, did I?" He asked with a more softer smile this time. You sat up and shook your head, "No... I'm fine.. Are you, really that?" "That same dragon? Yes. Your kind doesn't know this because you kill us before getting to know. Us but all us dragons have a human form." you blushed from embarrassment, "Oh... I'm so sorry for us humans... I never liked hunting..." "Thank you for that, it's rare someone doesn't fear or hunt my kind and it's kind of refreshing that I can just talk to someone that won't run away. So tell me, why the sympathy for dragons?" he scooted a little closer to you with a curious look and a soft smile. You sat up and started talking, "As you could guess, I live in the dragon hunting capital and, I've just never liked it when someone brought back a dragon... It was kind of a rare occasion, but still happened enough to gain the reputation, but all I remember from those days was the looks on the dragons faces... Filled with fear, desperation... It made me feel sick, and it made me think that there must be another way to deal with dragons other than a massacre, and so I thought... Maybe like we did with wolves and cats, we could tame your kind... But now I know, that we're not all that different, and I'm sorry if I upset you for seeing you as a potential pet, but I hope we could become friends at least..." You gave him a hopeful look, he smiled back. "Of course, I like to make new friends and it's been ages since I've made friends with a human." you smiled back.

There was a brief comfortable silence before you asked, "So, what else can you do other than transform into a dragon and fly?" Sabo smirked and placed his hands on his hips confidently, "Well, we are the first ever users of fire magic, so we're masters of it actually. We breathe fire in our dragon forms, in our human forms we can summon and control fire, and we use a special type of fire magic to send messages!" he said confidently and you were amazed." How does the message thing work??" You asked curiously and his smirk grew wider. "Well we'll write down our message on a piece of paper and light it up with our fire magic, and the ashes will catch in the wind and blow towards the person we're sending the message too and when it reaches the person it reforms back into its paper form with the message on it." you were even more amazed "But how do the ashes know where to go???" Sabo chuckles, "Well, we just think of who we want to send it to and it'll find them, it's magic." He said casually like it was obvious while you were just dumbfounded. Sabo chuckled at your reaction when wind blew and ashes flew past his face, "Ah, here comes one now." Sabo held out his hand and th ashes blew around his hand before materializing back into a scroll of paper. He unrolled it and began reading, while you just silently watched. As he rad it his smile dropped and he gripped the paper tightly. But he calmed down and put the scroll in his pocket before looking at you, "Well, it's seems my brothers need my help, one of them has been caught by your village and is going to be executed and I need your help." "My help?" "Yes, it's your village and you know the place so I would really appreciate it if you could me save one of my brothers..." Sabo pleaded. You hesitated, you didn't like it in your village and you knew if you went back that it might not be such a warm welcome, but Sabo was your friend now, something you haven't had before, and you didn't want to just abandon him now when he needed you, so you nodded, "Alright, I'll help you."

Sabo smiled and stood up, putting out the fire and handing your things he helped you up too, "Alright, just put your hands on my shoulders, and hold on like your life depends on it!" "Uhh, couldn't we just use my saddle for me to sit on...?" Sabo laughed and shook his head, "Oh hell no! We don't have time to figure out how a dragon saddle works and I have enough pride not to wear one, now come on!" Before you could protest Sabo grabbed you by the waist and you both shot up in the air as he transformed and flew into the sky. Once the initial reaction of fear and screaming was over, you finally opened your eyes to see that you were soaring through the night sky while being firmly held in Sabos talons. He looked down to where you were and gave you a toothy grin, "Don't worry, I won't let you fall~ And if I do, I'll just catch you... Hopefully." He teased but you still looked mortified. He just laughed and looked back up, flying towards your village of dragon hunters where you now had to confront your people and sobe someone you were raised to kill...

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Alright, that's another one for today, and if anyone was wondering, yes the way how dragons deliver messages is a reference to how Spike delivers twilights messages to princess Celestia in My Little Pony, I thought it would be funny sorry (´｡• ω •｡`). But I'll try and post the Sanji idea soon, if not tomorrow then I'll definitely post it Saturday so I'll see you all very soon.

Kelly🐸

[xiaolin-show-hoe]

"Love Bug" Prompt 1

Jack shuddered as a cold, scaly nose chuffed air into the side of his neck. He let out a little overwhelmed peep, and the other giggled actually in fondness over it. Clawed hands pulling the red-haired man ever closer into the cool chest of one evil overlord and Prince of Darkness, Chase Young.

How on earth did he get into this situation you may ask…well the story isn't very long.

Basically, there was a Wu called the Love Bug. This wu had the ability to attack its enemies by making them attracted to the user, which in turn often made them turn soft and mushy. With all the Xiaolin hugs and clinginess. 

This wu, however, had a mind of its own and kinda liked to bite people since it activated and…it bit, Chase Young of all people. He was literally one of the hardest people to bite, especially with the armor and sensitive hearing, but a moment of distraction was enough.

Yada Yada, basically Jack was now in the Citadel with Chase Young huffing and puffing around his ear like an overly affectionate cat….with one key difference.

"Pretty," Chase breathed out reverently into his ear, and Jack felt his heart flutter ravenous in his chest as more praise dropped from the Dragon's lips. Gentle teeth ever so gently marring his pale skin. 

Jack knew the Wu effect would be over soon, but he hated how much he liked all this. The feeling of his crush and idol curling around him and saying sweet things that the man would never say to him. 

He never imagined something like this being possible. He tried to calm himself, but when Chase kept nuzzling into him, even in his dragon form, the red head could barely contain his physical reactions.

Clawed hands moved to his hair, digging into the scalp pleasantly. Jack stiffened in fear, but instantly relaxed when the hand started massaging his scalp. In fact, Jack melted. 

This was everything he ever wanted. Someone to just pat his head or touch him lovingly.

The person doing it being Chase Young, though, was the mind-blowing cherry on top. The creme de la creme, the perfect scenario.

Chase scratched right where he really wanted, and Jack couldn't stop his breath from festering out. When Chase moved away, Jack unconsciously moved his head back to follow the hand, and a small little laugh greeted his movement as the clawed hand dug back in the spot.

Jack let out a little noise of enjoyment. It felt nice, probably the best moment in his life. "So greedy," Chase mocked, but it was clearly flirty.

The free Claw hand however skirted around his hip and Jack jumped a bit. A gloved hand grabbed a reptilian one as Jack stuttered, "Y-you don't want to do that." The words were nervous and panicked but he knew he would be dead meat if he didn't stop the situation from getting heavier than it was.

The Love Bug bite couldn't be permanent. He couldn't enjoy this forever.

"How could I not when you are teasing me like this?"

Jack could have raised his eyebrows to the ceiling.

"What do you mean teasing? I am literally stuck, how can I-AH!" His girlish scream rang out as Chase tail unwrapped from his waist and now wrapped along his upper thigh. The sensitive skin making him twitch every time Chase's scaled tail moved along it. His jeans were his only line of defense, but they were so tight that he could feel the texture of the scales anyway.

His stomach was tickling in that stupid teenage horny way that had him wishing he was older. 

"That right there, I can feel your blood pumping and you smelling like sweat. It's like the sweetest poison." The words curled around Jack like an earworm, just reverberating till he was stuck thinking about that sentence.

It had his heart flipping and sinking when he knew he would never hear this again. Especially not if Chase got ahold of him after this Wu wore off. He might tear Jack limb from limb to save face.

The redhead used that fear to push away Chase's huffing nostrils from his neck. It was a hard task met with struggle that Jack would never win.

"It's not my fault you are sensitive in your lizard brain. Just turn human or something," Jack yelped as the tail around his leg released. The immortal man huffed in a way that was definitely a smirk.

THIS IS 'PROMPT 1' called 'Love Bug'.

This story is about an incident with the Love Bug wu between Jack and Chase that end up never discussed until years later Chase receives Jack's invitation to his wedding and now Chase has to confront how he felt that day during the incident...and possibly crash a wedding.

[namesareweird579]

Ochre's heart

Ochre is an unremarkable dragon, he always was and always would be whether he was in some world saving prophecy or not, but he didn't care, he never cared just as long as he had something to eat he would be fine, After all why should he care? Nobody ever cared about him, Nobody ever cared about his well-being? He always felt like he was missing something when he was in the Talons of Peace, he didn't even want to be there, he was only there because the talons of peace didn't know what to do with him. He thought he'd never feel anything other than apathy for the situation he previously found himself in, but after one mission he was sent in order to get him to do something useful he found something he never knew he was looking for, a family. Reunited with his sibs he now feels loved, noticed and appreciated

Ochre was peacefully napping in a burrow, he wasn't in very deep sleep as he could hear various noises from bugs and birds, Ochre didn't mind though he just continued napping in the burrow under covers made out of moss and pillows woven out of reeds filled with cattails, he continued to lay their until he felt someone nudge him. Ochre to preceded slowly open his dreary eyes and turned to see who nudged him, it was another mudwing who was much bigger than him, this mudwing had copper colored scales, a light tan under scales, curled ram like horns and two eye piercing eyes one orange and one Navy blue, this dragon was Ochre's bigwings named Cow and despite his angry glare Ochre wasn't very intimidated.

“It is time to rise…” grunted Cow, Ochre grumbled he could feel shifting near him and turned to see some of his other sibs Fireback and Villiuamite, Villiuamite was the group’s treasurer as his small statue allowed him to crawl into small spaces other bigger mudwings couldn't reach. Fireback was their war strategist. Fireback and Villiiamite both had scars while Villiamite only had some claw marks scratched across his face and parts of his tail and Stomach, poor Fireback was covered in scars, including a snapped off horn and a slashed out eye, supposedly out of all their sibs she had the most because she happen to hatch out with Flame resist scales, the flame resistance scales that he was supposedly supposed to have. As Fireback and Villiuamite crawled out of the makeshift blanket fort, Ochre craned his neck he could smell something cooking in the distance, which enticed him enough to decide it was worth it to leave too. Ochre slowly crawled out of the burrow followed by Villiuamite, Fireback, and Cow. Ochre eventually made it to the main living area where the rest of his sibs were. They were surrounding a dead tree stump with a partially eaten strawberry pie in the middle of the area. The area was dimly lit by bioluminescent Oyster mushrooms clinging to the roots of a tree holding up this part of the burrow. The walls of the burrow were decorated with random random leaves, acorns, drawings, and other not very expensive of things, the most notable being a terrarium filled with different kinds of invertebrates, lying on a wood table, According to Villiuamite, it was Bulrush's bug collection which he got very defensive about other dragons touching, Ochre asked them why'd they kept this stuff, Villiuamite said because it was pretty; Bulrush went on a tangent about bugs. Ochre continued to wander around the burrow noticing a few more holes lining the bottom part of the walls. The holes lead to various other places like, the treasury, a kitchen, alternative sleeping quarters which made Ochre wish he could crawl into but Cow or Cinquefoil would just drag him out, he'd have to wait till sunset before doing that. Cinquefoil was the group’s medic; she had vast knowledge over different herbs, minerals, and other items, though most of her advice boiled down to sit in the mud until you felt better. Ochre could see Cinquefoil staring at him, seeing if he would try to go to the sleep quarters anyways, Ochre decided that it wasn't worth the headache

Ochre's sibs sat on pillows near the tree stump and casually talked about random things. He wandered towards them and sat down next to a free space towards them, he could see Bulrush glancing at his bug collection, besides being a bug collector Bulrush was the group's gatherer as he had a keen eye for finding all kinds of things though he wasn't quite as keen when it came to the specifics of what he gathered which was why Cinquefoil was their medic and not him.

“Do you want some?” one of his sibs asked. This one was named Billabong. He was quite jittery and panicky, Billabong was always full of energy. He was the group’s communicator. he’d often spend time talking with Fireback about battle strategies. Ochre eagerly looked at the pie.

“Sure, I guess” Ochre grumbled

“Ochre… if you wanted some, you could just have some” one of his other sibs replied. This one was Agardite, Agardite had his right horn partially snapped off and didn't really have a role in their sib group so Agarite would often spend time just helping his other sibs with their roles.

“Of course we made this specifically for you” Buttercup responded. Finally there was Buttercup. Buttercup was the cook of the sib group, she would take the stuff that Cinquefoil or Bulrush would grab and cook it up into items that Ochre had never seen before. Buttercup had a calming soothing voice that would always feel a little sad, it was strange… he would watch his sibs play, and fight, and sleep, and just be there they would always be around eachother, Cow and Buttercup would always be a shoulder to cry on, Billabong and Villiuamite would always crack jokes to make you feel better, Fireback and Bulrush would just sit there then give tales about their lives, and Cinquefoil and Agardite despite their strict nature would always have a piece of advice to give it felt strange… he never knew what it was like to really belong to anything, while their was the prophecy no one really cared about him and he didn't care about anyone which was fine or atleast that's what he thought he never really thought about how the other false dragonets had someone to rely on, there was Viper's parents and uncle, Flame's mother, Squid’s father who he always made sure to remind everyone how important he was as the talons of peace leader’s son, and Fatespeaker's… Fatespeaker didn't really have anyone either… but that didn’t matter she had someone now, though Ochre thought about how he had someone now too, Ochre's head ached thinking about it and he groaned. Suddenly he was poked by someone

“Are you okay Ochre?” Buttercup Asked

“I'm fine” Ochre grumbled “Just thinking.”

“About what?” Agardite asked

“Life.” Ochre replied. “it's nothing to worry about “.

“Are you thinking about the Talons again, Ochre?” Cow asked, Ochre didn't respond. “Hmmm” Cow said “Just as I assumed…”

“I know you haven't been with us for a while…but, mayhaps you could tell us more about your time at the talons of peace…”

“There's not much to talk about!” Ochre grumbled “ We just moved around a bunch, sat in a volcano for like two weeks, then I sat with the Talons of Peace since they didn't know what to do with me!”

“Did they camp in the mud kingdom?” Cinquefoil asked

“They did…” Ochre said

“Did you get a chance to explore the mud kingdom?” Cinquefoil continued

“Of course not, most of the members hated how dreary and bog ridden it was, so we tried to stay as far away from it as we could, we didn't even stay there for a month…” Ochre snorted

“Mother never tried to take you? I know mudwings don't do parents but surely she would've wanted you to be able to experience it, As a fellow mudwing? Villiuamite asked

“Nope, she never bothered to take me” Ochre replied “But that's alright, It's not like I cared about her either”

The group paused with various concerned and disappointed expressions

“That's truly unfortunate” Cow hissed

“But at least you Have us now!” Villiaumite chirped, Ochre didn't respond. “Right?” Ochre turned to the sib group, it was strange, to see all these dragons trying to make him feel better, it made him feel weird and he found that he kind of liked the feeling

“Yeah…” Ochre said. Then he smiled

“I guess I do…”

End

[ilikemicrowaves]

LOYAL STARFLIGHT AU

Notes: LOYAL Starflight au is were Starflight decides to help the nightwings take the Rainforest instead of Glory.

Summary: starflight meets his father and finds out why Fatespeaker claims to be the wings of night

Plans

Starflight followed his father to the other side of the lab as he struggled to turn the circular handle to what seemed to be a vault door.

"Our understanding of this biological anomaly is so new that we haven't even put it in any scrolls." He said in a fascinated voice.

Fatespeaker bumped into Starflight since Morrowseer's massive body took up a large amount of room.

"It turns out one tribe of dragon has evolved an unusual defense mechanism." He continued finally opening the door as they filled in.

Inside, the floor was covered in what Starflight first thought was splattered black paint, but recognized it as venom.

"You'll never guess which one!" Mastermind said.

"Rainwings." Starflight answered.

The delight on Masterminds face brightened. "Yes! They shoot venom out if their fangs."

He walked over to the middle of the room, spreading one wing to gesture at the venom marks.

"One of our first questions, naturally, was how far can they shoot? What's a safe distance to attack them from?" He put on a show by making dramatic hand movements, something Clay would laugh at Starflight for doing the same.

We truly are alike, not just interests.

Helmet in hand, Mastermind circled the black trail marking as Starflight and Fatespeaker followed.

"This is as far I've ever seen a dragon shoot. An older male, suggesting the skill gets stronger as they age." Mastermind theorized.

"Actually, they have training sections. Though the teachers in the Rainforest aren't the best as of what I've seen." Correct Starflight.

"Interesting, I'll have to write that down. Very observant, son. Oh I just love saying that word, now that it has a purpose!"

Starflight felt pride in his stomach, maybe his father wasn't like his other friend's parents after all.

As Mastermind wrote, he continued about his research on these unfortunate rainwings.

"The next question, of course, was what doesn't react to venom?" After writing the side note and crossing out some previous ones, he lead them to a table with two trays of different material.

"What could we use for protection? Metal, for one thing."

He knocked onto the Helmet he sat on the table.

"But anything biological, it destroys." He lifted his talon to show the rotten lizard and fish, as well with withering plants.

Fatespeaker commented her opinion with an "eww.."

Mastermind, leaning over the trays and collecting himself and the Helmet, continued. "If it gets in your eye or blood stream, you are most likely to die, instantly."

Maybe that's what happened to queen Scarlet

"If it hits your scales, you'll wish you where."

Starflight touched his head, thinking about the melting faces of Scarlet and Crocodile.

"I've seen it kill two dragons so far." He revealed.

Mastermind lifted his head before readjusting his glasses.

"Two, really? How surprisingly careless. We haven't picked up any rainwings with that little control yet."

"They weren't careless it was on purpose."

Mastermind smiled, "Purpose? That changes things entirely! I want to know everything! How long did death take? What provoked the attack?"

Excitingly, Mastermind unhooked a key off a key holder.

"I've never seen rainwings attack other dragons." Commented Fatespeaker.

"Even a rainwing will defend themselves from time to time." Educated Starflight.

"In my experience, not often." Mastermind equipped his helmet, unlocking the door Starflight hadn't noticed before.

"But why don't you stand back just in case."

Upon unlocking the door, they entered what seemed to be a torture room. A Rainwing, a somber gray, the most miserable color he thought he could see a rainwing be, hung by chains on a ceiling.

Below them was a drain.

That'll be useful if I need to escape, if it leads to anywhere anyway.

"What are you doing to her!?" Gasped Fatespeaker in fear.

"We where testing wether or not they run out of venom. Unfortunately she passed out before we could gather any useful data."

Fatespeaker ran over to the cauldron filled with water and struggled to carry its heavy weight over to the rainwing.

"What are you doing?" Mastermind asked.

"Giving her water!" She snapped.

That is a good idea. If she's dehydrated she's more likely to faint.

Starflight walked over to them and could hear the weak gulps as the rainwing began to drank.

"Who are you?" He asked.

Taking a breath, the rainwing spoke. "Orchid...no nightwing has ever asked me that." She managed.

Starflight recognized that name. "Oh, Mangrove's been looking for you." He said.

"Than I won't give up on living just yet."

She let her head head hang again as her scales shifted to a beautiful pink.

"Incredible! What did you say to make her do that? I've never seen it before!" Mastermind observed.

Wow, he really doesn't know.

"She's thankful for the water." Interjected Fatespeaker.

"Fascinating! Utterly fascinating!"

He swooped around and stuck his head out of the room.

"Strongwings! This one is ready to go back! And Strongwings, guess what! I have a brilliant son!"

A bulky dragon larger than him walked in padded with armor that looked like a skywings.

"Yeah whatever, when will I get one of these fancy looking helmets?"

Mastermind yanked it away as Strongwings tried to touch it.

"This is just a prototype."

While Strongwings started to unclick the locks around Orchid Mastermind stopped Starflight before he could walk any further.

"As one can imagine, the hardest part about making venom-proof armor is making it possible to see!" He lifted the helmet into his face.

"I'd be interested in your thoughts."

Starflight blinked a few times.

"Firstly, I'd like to discuss how you treat the rainwings." He said. "Why are we studying them? Why do we need to protect ourselves?"

Mastermind lead him and Fatespeaker out of the room.

"Queens orders." He simply said. "Right now that information is restricted from you, I wish I could tell right now but Morrowseer and the Queen forbids it."

He looked him dead in the eyes. "Surely as my son you understand that, right?"

Still just meeting his father he didn't want to disappoint him, he's his only family after all.

"I understand, until I earn her majesty's trust, I won't bother you about it."

Mastermind smiled, "thank you," leaving the room he lead them out to a bridge the clutched to the side of the mountain.

"I must attend my daily meeting with the queen, I hope to catch up with you soon!"

Mastermind hugged Starflight, making him feel very affectionate compared to his other friend's parents.

"Goodbye, dad." He said with a wave as Mastermind disappeared into a different room.

"Wow." Fatespeaker said. "So, turns out we are terrible dragons." She said.

"I still don't understand why we are kidnapping rainwings..." He said.

"Neither do I! And did you see how bad she looked?" Fatespeaker was circling around the ledge now.

She stopped infront of Starflight. "And how did you know her? I thought nightwings didn't leave this place?"

"I'm not from here, I was raised by the Talons of peace."

Fatespeaker giggled. "Liar, I've never seen you in camp."

Starflight lifted his head towards her "I'm not, we were born under a mountain, I am the dragonet from the prophecy."

Fatespeaker had doubt written all over her. "I am! Morrowseer says I'm special, I was born on the brightest night!"

"False, neither of you are in the prophecy yet." Said a booming from above.

Morrowseer landed with a loud thud.

"Only one of you will be in the prophecy. That's why your here. Thankfully we didn't have to put up a fight getting Starflight here."

"Don't you know? You delivered the prophecy."

Tossing his head in a frustrated manner he said, "Prophecies, are complex."

Fatespeaker grinned and turned to Starflight to whisper, "Thats a good comeback. I should write that down."

Jabbing his claw in their direction, Morrowseer continued to explain.

"The real problem is neither of you are suitable. You are both weak and too sympathetic. We made an error letting you be raised without a nightwing at watch." He said with grimace in his voice.

"Why aren't I suitable?" Asked Fatespeaker.

"You act like a hatchling! And you!" Pushing Starflight back a little he yelled.

"You've antagonized our ally!"

"Hey, that's not my fault!" Starflight protested. "My friends did! I tried to convince them but they wouldn't listen."

"You have no leader ship at all! Maybe if you were a true nightwing things would be different." He said. "But now you've placed our whole in jeopardy."

Starflight pushed back the large talon infront of him. "If you told me the plan maybe I could have helped! I can't when I don't even know what it is!"

Morrowseer lashed his tail and huffed.

"We cannot trust either of you with the nightwing secrets. Not until you are proven loyal."

Starflight puffed a plum of smoke.

"I am loyal! Why do you think I abandoned my friends in the first place?"

Morrowseer considered it for a moment, then alofted himself into the smokey sky.

"Queens orders, follow me."

Doing what they were told they followed after Morrowseer. Starflight could feel ashes hit his face and shoulders flying through the thick smoke.

Swooping up to Fatespeaker he asked, "any visions about their plan?"

Carelessly she said, "nope!" And flew faster ahead of Morrowseer.

Starflight continued to fly while the wind wrapped around his body.

Mmh, He thought, odd. But I need to figure out their plan. Why are they kidnapping and studying rainwings? Especially their venom. Maybe they're using that research to understand what's happening to us, with the prey and our poisonous bite.

Have I ever done that? He continued to think. I do recall biting Kestrel in training once, and her wrist swelled a little. I thought it was because it got infected from an open wound.

"I guess not..." He said to himself.

But why bother to understand that during times like this?

They also are looking for ways to protect themselves from the venom, but rainwings are pacifists. Maybe if I told them that they would put an end to this research.

"Wake up dreamy face!" Fatespeaker snapped him out of his thoughts. "Morrowseer says you need to meet the others, in case you're the dragonet for the prophecy."

Oh no, there's others?

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Notes: Thank you for reading this :) it'd be really appreciated if you reblog this so other can see my work!

[dailycharacteroption]

My Characters 7: Jhozu

It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these but we’re back with another special on characters that I’ve played or at least have come up with over the years, as a way to give examples of character creation and give some of these characters the benefit of the light of day.

And today we’re starting with an idea I had when I first read about the spirit dancer archetype for the medium class, able to tap into every spirit they have each day, but only in short bursts.

I thought. “Six spirits, able to draw upon those powers when needed, but doesn’t have them all the time, who does that sound like? Shazam/DC’s Captain Marvel, that’s who.”

So I set about coming up with a build centered around the idea of a character drawing upon the power of their ancestors to become a mighty warrior, shifting between different aspects as needed to answer the threats at hand.

The son of the Matriarch of the Goldscale tribe of iruxi, Jhozu grew up hearing the stories of the heroes he was descended from who had made the tribe what it was today, a nomadic clan that gathered rare materials from the darkest parts of the forest to trade with the towns and cities of established nations and settled peoples.

Of course, as a relatively wealthy people, this attracted unsavory sorts, including a gang of smugglers that wished to turn the tribe into their own private vector for smuggling goods from one city to the next. To do this, they kidnapped Jhozu and his siblings, threatening them to get the matriarch to acquiesce.

These criminals could not have expected, however, what would happen when Jhozu prayed to his ancestors in his cell, asking if they could lend him their might… and they answered.

With it, he invited the spirits into his body, and he gained: The endurance of Srus, who held back troll raiders, The divine wisdom of Hucu, she who led her people to the verdant land they call home, The charisma of Accoxaz, the founder who brought the tribe together, The arcane might and knowledge of Zoz, who smote the green dragon Kalkamon with lightning, The strength of Auguux, who stood tall when the fiend was laid low, And the agility of Mioz, who stole back the tribe’s treasures and humiliated the thieves.

With their power, he freed himself and came back to the tribe, who swiftly rallies and punished the smugglers for their cruel ambition. From then on, he heard the voices of those ancestors and followed their guidance, even leaving home for some grand destiny, though he knows not yet what it is.

Jhozu has a big legacy to live up to while also forging his own legend, but he doesn’t allow that to go to his head. He tends to be humble and speak softly, listening so that he may learn what others have to say and forming his own opinions. He does, however, relish being able to invite his ancestors into his soul, giving him impressive confidence.

His scales are a dark gray, bordering on black, with a pale gray underbelly. Jhozu’s build could be called average, but he packs plenty of muscle beneath his scales.

If you hadn’t already guessed, Jhozu is meant to be a lizardfolk medium with the spirit dancer archetype, though his own spirit dance is more akin to a power-up than any physical performance. As such, I’d try to make sure all his ability score were at least moderately decent, though if I had to sacrifice one, it would probably be charisma, as he’s more inclined to listen than talk. Naturally, the legendary influence and improved version thereof are vitally important for this build so he has a more flexible toolkit with his feats. I imagine him mostly as a melee combatant shifting between champion and guardian, only shifting to other spirits when tactically viable. As for the spells he gains with archmage and hierophant, he would prefer to pick those that answer challenges throughout the day, or without such foreknowledge, elemental blasting from the former, and healing from the latter.

That will do for today, but we’ll see more fun builds like this throughout the week!

[katyspersonal]

🤍💔 for dark souls, 💙 for bloodborne

(Asks from this ( x ) meme)

🤍: Which character is not as morally bad as everyone else seems to think?

I suppose that Gwyn is an obvious answer, but it is not like I got to talk about him all that often, so why not!

Fandom really seems to be too mean to him! Like, I see memes like "complex and confused tragic villain Marika vs Gwyn who just likes genocide" kinda memes and start to wonder why I've never tried smoking cigs in my entire life... -_- Oh, what's up? You think I am making up a guy to be mad at, huh? You think I defend "boring white fictional man #378447 🥺" from imaginary blows HUH? Well, then what is THIS?

Hgggghghh ok ok ok sorry. My point is, Dark Souls trilogy didn't hammer down the point about there truly being genuinely horrifying things within humanity and the trap of wanting to restrain its potential for evil only to become evil of equal force in doing so only for people to write him down as just some bad guy reveling in oppression and desperately clinging to his "privileges"!! Sulyvahn is literally right there lol

There is a tragedy in character who wished to build the better world, even if by conquest through snatching it all away from the dragons! And there is a tragedy in how there is no good solution. Keeping humans on the leash is bad, not keeping them on the leash is bad, us existing is bad, us not existing is also bad because who the fuck anyone is to tell Manus that he can't have children because his darkness will get passed on? And in the end, are Gods that much different from humans anyway? There is an inherent evil in having free will and consciousness, yet nothing living could help crawling out from eternal dark and stasis.

On a smaller scale, I am not a fan of blaming Gwyn entirely for Gwyndolin's problems with self-image! I do get that Gwyn might not known any better than to pick a gender for an intersexual child he had with his slutty dragon madman friend and try to do something so Gwyndolin falls on "one side". I do NOT, however, get a mental image of Gwyn shaming him for unusual body and powers and making him feel inferior.

Moonlight is also a kind of light, but only a kind associated with secrecy and assassination - much like Gwyndolin's Darkmoon Blades behave! A guardian of the sunlight, preserving its magnificence when it rests, much like how moonlight is created by reflecting sunlight! I think Gwyndolin is "jealous moon" if anything, wishing himself he could be as radiant and not understanding his importance. You know who IS the type to understand the worth of all things that help the Light? Gwyn! And for sure Gwyn would not encourage Gwyndolin to shamefully hide his body with its draconian features (snakes), when Seath is pretty much known and celebrated! I am just saying that there is potential of Gwyndolin putting some of this on himself that speaks more of both characters than using Gwyn as an average transphobic boomer stand-in!

But okay, okay, okay, it is all subjective and borderline just a preference of interpretation. Here is an objective one though; Gwyn could not kick out Nameless King from the deities because he was already dead when that happened!

I don't know, man... I just think that placing some things you blame Gwyn for on Sulyvahn or Lloyd instead reading a more complicated character whose plan to make a better world was doomed from the start is more fun at least!

💔: If you had to remove one major character from the series, who would you choose?

Alright.. this question is straight up impossible for me to answer, sorry gfhgh I've been thinking about it for a while, and every single time it is either a character whose absence would make the story fall apart or turns out to be not actually major!

I think if you suggest me like a list of a few characters and demand I remove one, I maybe could choose! But, not like this...... I don't do "I don't really care for this character", stuff which makes it even harder to do.

💙: Which character is not as hot as everyone else seems to think?

It is very hard to answer too because it is pure, absolute subjectivity! I really can't be a fair judge for whether someone is hot or not, and in fact, NO one can be! For any character I personally don't simp for, I can still see WHY people simp for them!

So, yeah, subjective answer: Gascoigne seems to be a popular character to find very hot, but I don't feel this way! Yes, he is big and strong and feral, but also probably was a very lovely person before going blood-drunk, and formerly a religious figure too, but this is not enough to captivate me! He is, ironically, too.... normal? He is interesting and had a long, long life full of events that deserved a much better end than This, but not enough to make my knees weak. Heart? Sure. Not knees tho! There is no sick twist about his mind that typically makes me all 👀, only downward spiral of noble sense of duty as he was one of the few remaining Healing Church people to still care about the hunt. He is one of the most normal characters in Bloodborne (by Bloodborne standards XD)! It feels more like a breath of fresh air rather than something to latch onto for me!

Objective answer: All the Plain Doll pr0n is the proof that Gwyn should have exterminated humans instead of just trying to manage their nature.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Trailerpalooza!

ELIO, THE BAD GUYS 2, and VENGEANCE MOST FOWL all in one go! And they all look super-enjoyable.

ELIO's trailer is interesting in that we're finally seeing what the film looks to actually be like, since it saw a dramatic director change and subsequent overhaul. The tone of this new teaser is a little different from the first one way back in June 2023, back when Adrian Molina was the director. (And apparently still is? Either that, or there are portions of the movie that are his and haven't been changed by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian.) There's a lot more of Elio himself on Earth, and it's a little more colorful and it seems he'll be meeting these other aliens in different ways than implied by the original teaser. Plus, he welcomes getting abducted by aliens in this teaser as opposed to the old one.

I still feel that Disney should push it back a week, unless Universal somehow blinks w/ their live-action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON remake, but I doubt that. But, what do I know.

THE BAD GUYS 2 looks every bit as fun as I thought the first one was, but on a larger scale, more characters, more bad stuff! I like that they're going international, and that red and orange poster goes so hard. I think this is the latest movie release that we have a trailer for, given that this isn't out until August of next year. Two months after ELIO and DRAGON. I have little else to say other than it looks so cool, and visually as neat as ever. I'm down for more of these, given that there were multiple books. Neat, breezy heist adventures with such enjoyable characters. Really hits that sweet spot for me.

WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL. What more is there to say? It's Wallace & Gromit. It definitely looks larger scale - as evidenced by that water bridge set - than CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT to me, which was largely contained to the town it took place in. But not too big to the point where it loses all the charm, and it's all there, along with that usual wit and humor. I wish it was a theatrical release like WERE-RABBIT was, but, eh, at least it was made and that the duo still go on.

So now most of the road ahead is clear, except for a domestic trailer for THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP, ditto SMURFS, which opens a few weeks before BAD GUYS 2 does. DOG MAN, ELIO, BAD GUYS 2... All have trailers now. The year is scant, as only a few more features have wide releases: GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE, ZOOTOPIA 2, and SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS. That was likely because of all the domino stuff happening as a result of the strikes, plus you have other things going on in animation, and some movies vacated 2024/25 frames for various reasons. I have no idea who is releasing WILDWOOD and if it'll come to theaters (CORALINE re-issue had sneak peeks of it, so I guess so?) Everything else is a streamer, such as K-POP: DEMON HUNTERS and THE TWITS. FIXED seems to be that skeleton at the bottom of the pool at the moment. Sony, just fuckin' release it yourselves already.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Flesh Flame

Day 4 of @ly0nstea's Azulaang week. Promp(s): Scars & Tattoos

Summary: Azula wants to get tattoos to cover up some scars.

He traces his fingers over the dragon on her back with its gold-outlined blue scales. It is incredible work and he wonders where she got it done. Sometimes when he dreams, he dreams of Azula as the Avatar. In these dreams the tattoo glows. Not the whole thing, just those golden scales and the flames it spews up her neck and across her shoulders. 

He asked her why she had decided to get the tattoo.

She promised him that it was because she adored his tattoos. And he doesn’t doubt that at all. She loves following the lines of his tattoos with her eyes and her touch. She loves trailing her kisses over them. She asks him if he can get them to glow for her, and every now and then he does. 

She loves his tattoos. She seems fond of tattoos in general. But he thinks that there is another reason. Only a few weeks ago she had been saying that tattoos don’t suit her; that they are for the edgier rebellious types and that that’s just not her.

Only a few months ago she had been very badly burned. 

He doesn't think that it is a coincidence that the dragon’s fire has taken the shape of the burn mark. He doesn’t think that it is a coincidence that she is saying that the tattoo isn’t finished. He can still make out a few of the scars beneath her chin, the scars whose edges wrap ever so slightly over her jaw. 

He doesn’t quite understand; she has always been very proud of the lighting scars on her hands and arms. She says that they are pretty, that they are a part of her. He finds himself staring at them. And finally he can resist no longer. “What’s the difference?”

Her brows crinkle. “Hmm?” 

“You like your lightning scars but…” with his pointer and middle finger, he tilts her chin up. He hears her sudden intake of air. “But you’re trying to cover these.” 

She jerks away from his touch and scowls. “They’re different!” 

“Yeah, and I’m asking why.” He knows that he shouldn’t be poking at a dragon like this. She’ll either snap or she’ll cry, he doesn’t like either reaction and it’s always a toss up as to which it will be now that he broken through that mask of indifference that she likes to put on.

Her expression pinches. “It just is, okay.”

“I wish that you would be open with me. You’re safe.”

.oOo.

You’re safe. 

He tells her this a lot.

She wraps her arms around her middle and begins to count the zigzags on her lightning scars. 

“Please Azula.” He pouts. 

Azula inhales and exhales. “The difference, Avatar, is the shape. These…” she pauses to lift her arms. “Are aesthetically pleasing. They look like lightning. These…” she gestures to the new scars, “are just unsightly blotches.”

“That’s not true.” Aang promises. “They look like flames. You like flames.”

But she doesn’t like the impression that flames leave on her skin. She is surprised that Zuko hasn’t made any remarks. It feels, in some way, like karma to have scars so similar to the ones she had mocked. And that is part of it too, the part that she won’t tell Aang. “The other difference is how I got them. The lightning scars are a symbol of years of hard work and skill.” The flame scar is a symbol of weakness. She hadn’t been strong enough to fend that attack off. 

“And the new scar isn’t?”

“Avatar, I couldn’t block the attack.”

“Of course not!” He chirps like it is something to be proud of. “I don’t think that anyone could have. That’s kind of what happens when you take a hit for someone else. Don’t you think that that’s a nice symbol to have?”

Her brows furrow. 

“When you feel alone or you feel like a monster or an evil person, you can look at the scar or touch it and you’ll know that you aren’t. You’ll remember that you’re a good person who protects the people she cares about.” He smiles. “A good person who protects people even when they’re mad at her.” 

Azula’s tummy grows queasy, she can’t even promise herself that it was worth it. “She’s still mad at me.” 

“I don’t think that she is.” Aang smiles. “Mai actually seemed pretty worried about you. She would check on you often.”

“Then why hasn’t she talked to me?”

Aang laughs. “Because I don’t think that she wants you to know that she cares. I get why you guys got along so well; you both don’t like to show people how you feel.” He pauses. “You should try to talk to her.”

Azula sighs. “Perhaps, Avatar.” She tilts her head and lets him kiss the scar.

“You’re really pretty, Azula.” He gives her another kiss. “If you want to have the tattoo finished, then do it. But I think that it looks really neat as it is–how the ink transitions into the scar. It’s different.” 

“I don’t know if I want to be different.” She mumbles. 

“That’s up to you.” He replies. 

She picks up his hand and traces along the outline of the arrow. He is always giving her choices, always giving her options, always leaving doors open. She just can’t seem to get used to it. It was much simpler when father was around to tell her things like, “get that unsightly scar covered.” Granted he would never let her cover it with a tattoo, he hated those too. It would be either copious amounts of makeup or high collared outfits. 

Aang? Aang seems to like both options, although he very heavily hopes that she will leave the scar alone. 

She grazes her fingers over it. “Nobody has really seen it yet…”

“Well maybe you could try enhancing it at first.”

“Enhancing it!? Why would I…?” She trails off. She supposes that she could use makeup to add glimmering gold outlines. Some nice embellishing touches to make it prettier until she and the general public gets used to seeing the scars.

Aang grins. “You get it, don’t you?”

She nods. “Alright, Aang. I will give that a try but if it doesn’t work…”

“I will personally give you your tattoo!” Aang declares.

“You will keep well away from me with needles.” 

He pecks her cheek. “You know what I mean.”

Indeed she does. 

She has his support no matter what she chooses.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Oh! About the murals in the cave of GOS, what if the first mural you'll find is 1st Gai's... but if you go further down the cave, more art will be revealed. The deeper you go, the more advanced, gorgeous and insane the art becomes, wrapping around every stalagmite, different stories depicted from all these stalactites, which have been carved to look like lightning bolts! And even the ceiling showing stories the mortals never even heard of, but are now up to interpretation! Like how Obito puts the stars in the sky and Kakashi sometimes messes with them. Stories Dragon/Beast Gai spent decades depicting and getting right! Making them as beautiful as possible. So he could present to Kakashi.

The art is on every surface that Gai made with his own claws and scales, that very few people get to see, due to how hard it is to get to (and going down a deep, dark scary cave is well...scary!)

(Bonus points, is you go by torch light, some of the art will even move! Just like some actual cave drawings in our world! Telling MORE of a complete story he wished to tell!)

(And Madara is in NONE of them!!!)

(Dragon Gai: Oh yeah... I thought I forgot something.)

Bdjxhxus always love a good ‘i kicked his ass and the. Promptly forgot who tf he was’ because it’s so rude to Madara.

He’s a creator god.

One of the first.

Everything comes from him somewhere down the line (or most everything)

What do toy MEAN you forgot him? This whole cave is dedicated to the wet cat god but not a thing about Madara!? Not even their epic battle!?

How DARE!!!

*hashirama holds Madara back from trying to wipe out the village again.*

But i do love the idea of Dragon!Gai taking all of these stories Kakashi tells him and deciding to depict them in the cave. Add to the story he already found and make a book of the god of storms, except it’s on a cave wall.

Definitly one of Kakashi’s favorite places and i would say 100% that in his mortal life Kakashi found his way up to that cave and got to see it for himself

[sorcerous-caress]

I’m glad you mentioned about Sean viewing Randgrid differently after his bad ending because I have definitely thought about how he’d be around his fellow Merry Men after his bad ending. Bad ending Sean would be very hateful towards anyone who doesn’t agree with him or anyone who even ever had a past of selfishness and greediness. He’d take low shots at people’s background “Zarek wasn’t your mother so consumed by greed they turned you into one of those statue actors on the street?” Stuff like that. Him hating Randgrid because she is the spawn of a dragon would also show how far he’s fallen because I always imagined him believing that there are no naturally evil races. “All goblins are evil? Nonsense those guys just suck.” He’d turn on the companions too even if they had their good ending, Astarion and Gale for being power hungry, Wyll just for having a noble background, hell maybe even Karlach for fighting for a devil and working with Gortash even if it was against her will. If Sol was a companion he’d probably turn on her for her dragon heritage.

But enough about that the last Merry Men kid is Alfred Nikolas a goblin Artificer nicknamed Fun-Sized Fred. He is based on Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. He was taken in by Lord Marion (genderbent Lady Marian) as more of a protégée than an adopted child given his parents are still alive and still on good terms unlike the rest of the kids. He became a well-known artificer using the money of his version of Scrooge after he gave all his money to Fred’s family when he passed. Fred uses modified crutches to get around but they double as his weapons. Really wish they had Goblins as a race in bg3 so I could make him in it. I’ll just have to make him in Hero Forge at some point.

Okay, wait, I'm obsessed with the potential for Sean and Sol interactions. Let's play barbies with our OCs for a hot second.

Let's say by some miracle the two of them end up kinda friends in act 3. Maybe a series of failed bullying attempts from Sol that just strengthened their bond instead.

Now bad endings! Sean gets hyper-vigilant and vindictive with his judgment. Everyone is put under the microscope and all their hearts are weighted on a scale against a feather just so they wouldn't end up on his list of enemies.

What if, Sol gets their bad ending too. But since Sean bothered to befriend them, they think "oh. Maybe he belongs to my hoard."

It's basically about 2-5 years of life before they die. Might as well make the most out of it yk? So eventually after amassing all the gold and gems they want, they think it's time to round up the people they care about.

Romanced Tav tied up in gold chains in their chambers? Check.

That one druid who was nice to them and restored their flower? Check.

That dog who didn't bite them too hard when they tried to pet it after he smelled dragon on them? Check.

Now, time to get the friends.

Ascended Astarion and God Gale would be too hard for Sol to manage with their short lifespan so they'd skip them. Sharran Shadowheart would hide too well for them to find and Lae'zel is on another plane of existence serving Vlaakith.

Halsin is there, free to grab. They pass by his village and don't look back. He can stay, he's not on the list.

Minthara IS on the list however. Although they have no idea where she is in the underdark or how to get to her. Did she get killed? They'll pay some drows to search for news about her and wait.

Now Sean, he would be fun because Sol is on the list of his enemies. He would seek them out himself. Afterall it is his fault for being kind to them to the past, now they see him as a part of their hoard.

And oh they'd be so delighted, he spared them the trouble of hunting him down, how kind of him, now off to the cage.

But he just keeps escaping, it's driving them crazy how time after time he comes trying to steal from them or kill them, and they throw him in a pure gold cell and the next day he's gone.

Do they have to pin him down with magic? Curse him with a tracker? How does he keep managing it? They follow him in their dragon form and take back their gold, pick him up with their claws and return him to the hoard.

It's a constant cycle of playing tag, except it is murder and steal tag.

-

If it's their good ending they'd just be confused, there is as much dragon in them as there are wings in a fish, even their scales fell of buddy. They're fully human.

If he brings up their past, it would anger them. After all, they sacrificed? After all the effort they've put in to change? Now he brings it up? Sol would call him a hypocrite for befriending their awful self before and coming to hold them accountable now.

I doubt it would work or convince him but honestly words is all Sol has at that point. They're a low level human fighter who lost all their powerful magic, not even a family left to hide behind. They're weak and defenceless and an experienced rogue could easily take them down.

So they'd keep attempting to use their high charisma to convince him or at least distract him from their trail. They might be able to overpower him with strength, but he'd be too tricky and slippery.

Him coming after them even after their half-frienship would hurt them but they'd never show it. It wouldn't anger them.

But him going after his own family? That'd infuriate them so much because he definitely talked the whole camp's ears off before about his family and moms and how much he loves them. They'd take more offence to that than him betraying them

At least Sol knows themselves, they were shitty and deserved it, but his family weren't shitty to him. Especially if he brings up Sol's greedy family after condemning his own. They'll dig at him for being just as rotten and greedy as the rest of them.

But also, that is all hypothetical bc I'm not even sure if Sol would bother kidnapping anyone but romanced Tav, yk? Like platonic Tav wouldn't interest them and they'll just increase their security against Sean instead of putting him in their hoard.

Man Jaheira has her work cut out for her, first Ascended Astarion neighbour, then vigilante Sean lurking the streets and now a dragon-human mutant flying over the city and stealing everything.

Not mentioning corrupted Arch-Duke Wyll and the Shar cult just below the city with Justicier Shadowheart.

-

Anyway goblin guy let's goo!! When I read fun-sized-Fred, I thought of scooby doo Fred ngl. And omfg modfied crutches that actually shoot bullets? It's like that one meme with "call the hospital call the hospital...but not for me" and Fred lifts his crutches and starts firing and it's glorious.

The only one on good terms with his parents, if he is adopted I wonder if he ever thinks about his bio parents. Sol would probably encourage him to, because they feel a special connection to their kin, be it another draconic being or their actual family and would think that Alfred needs to experience it too.

[galaxyofhair]

Early Medieval LOTR

To follow up my previous post about having more works of fantasy that take their cues from the Early Medieval era: LOTR is the big one for me. So much of what Tolkien poured into LOTR were myths, legends, and motifs that were very specific to not only the Vikings, but Early Medieval Europe in general(and well beyond).

Going through “Ring Legends of Tolkien” by David Day, he goes over the many different stories that had a direct influence on LOTR. Some of the best known examples are Beowulf, and Arthurian Legend, both of which contributed to motifs such as the slaying of great monsters, the folly and destruction of evil kings, and the acquisition of holy/special swords.

The Volsunga Saga and the Nibelungenlied both deal with the slaying of dragons, and with the motif of cursed treasure--and I forget if its just one of them or both of them but they specifically deal with a cursed ring that is the figurehead of a larger cursed fortune and is ultimately the tool of everyone’s downfall.

This also isn’t new news---Even the films had a pretty good grasp on the Early Medieval influences on Tolkien's work and brought that out in their depiction of Rohan; Rohan’s seat of government in Edoras is essentially a viking longhouse situated on top of a large stone foundation. The Rohirrim themselves are dressed in armor that is either directly inspired by northern armor, or at least decorated in Nordic designs and knots. Even their swords are reminiscent of older Celtic and Viking swords.

But then Two Towers ends, and when we get into Return of The King we find ourselves in Gondor---and we return to that more Late Medieval inspired, standard fantasy setting we’re used to seeing.

((Side note, I can’t tell you how disappointed I was that ROP had the Númenóreans wearing scale mail but actually it’s scale molding into plate armor. What a tease.))

A popular interpretation of LOTR is that it’s an analogy for WWII, but (and I am putting aside Tolkien’s disdain for analogy) I have really come to view LOTR as being largely applicable to the political concerns and structures of the Early Medieval era:

The Shire isn’t England, it’s that all of Arnor is England, but split into many smaller states after [the romans] left some centuries earlier. Rohan could be roughly those of as Denmark, or Scandinavia in general---and Gondor is roughly analogous to the Holy Roman Empire or Frankia (Where Aragorn would be Charlemagne’s heir). It’s not a perfect analogy, but then it didn’t have to be either---the theme that’s being brought across here that didn’t end up being well communicated in the films is that the world of LOTR is a world in recovery. Previously, Arnor and Gondor had been a single kingdom, and at one time a much larger kingdom. This empire was smashed apart over time by various wars and issue with corruption, and as a result Arnor no longer exists, and Gondor has no king---and this applies pretty neatly to the conditions of the early medieval period, depending on which side of the Age of The Vikings you’re on:

The Western Empire was destroyed in 476, and western Europe had to be slowly rebuilt by the dozens and dozens of petty kingdoms that rose up in it’s wake. Charlemagne was the first in a long time to build an empire in western europe---although his empire also split and quickly fell into disrepair, so you could think of Aragorn as Charlemagne himself, or think of Elendil as Charlemagne and Aragorn as heir to the throne etc etc.

All of this to say: I wish I could see a version of LOTR than takes more heavily from these early medieval roots. A version that leaves out the plate armor, the late medieval weaponry, and embraces a visual world that more keenly fits the themes of the text. It would be a world that tells it’s own story visually: One of past prosperity turned to modern scarcity. But also, one that isn’t afraid to really let loose with some of the more viking/anglo-saxon/carolingian aspects of the story really shine through as a key aspect of the world and not just the icing on top.

Idk, it’s a long and stupid ask---there are many other influences on LOTR, including stuff that in non-European (which I realize I focused on here). It’s a big part of: I want to see more fantasy that takes advantage of different eras of technology and culture. Seeing LOTR sort of artificially transposed to a different era because we can’t seem to wrap our heads around any fantasy that doesn’t include big stupid plate armor and two-handed swords just feels like a tragic waste to me.