#procyon mer virgil

[anxiouslyfred]

Cave Visits

For mine and @lostcephalopods dragonau

Summary: Remus and Roman continue visiting Janus's cave, Roman to try and keep an eye on Remus and Remus intent on befriending the water dragon.

Authors note: This has been a busy day so again I haven't written as much as I'd have liked, but I'm happy with having reread most of the posts I could find to remind myself of this au. I'll write something with more of the characters involved in it at some point I'm sure

My idea for today: dragonau - How does Remus get Virgil and Janus to be his friends? When do one of them tell Roman to stop apologising for Remus?

/\/\

Since Virgil had first spoken to Janus he’d formed a specific splash for coming into the cave, although yelled just as often. This time he barely did the splash, as if hoping to remain unnoticed as Janus was pretty sure he knew why: The avali brothers that had arrived the day before.

“So the two avali are still in town, refused to leave and you’re hiding with me; Someone Remus has declared he’ll befriend. Wonderful reasoning, Virgil. I’m sure you’ll definitely avoid them this way.” Janus drawled, settling beside him.

“They’ll disrupt the ecosystem, and I’m not avoiding them. I’m observing them, specifically why one if so set on befriending a dragon. Some dragons eat avali so it has to be mad, which is worse as then I can’t predict how it’ll act or what damage it’ll bring.” Virgil ranted, glare going unseen but evident in his voice.

They hummed lightly, “Oh Remus is definitely mad, but I doubt he’s so unpredictable. In fact, I predict he will come in via another ventilation tunnel, and try to find the kitchen rather than either of us.” They could feel the ripples in the water already so expected the second avali was also coming and probably going to reach them first. That was unexpected.

“Why would he look for the kitchen? You’re lying to me over knowing that birdbrain so well already.” He growled out, voice quiet as if he was trying to listen to the ambient noises while they spoke.

“Because I insisted on coming in the intended entrance you showed me.” Roman replied, surfacing from the water tunnel. “He wants to prank me at every opportunity and probably you both as well since we’re acquaintances now. Apologies for that in advance.”

Janus swung to look just left of Roman, “Why apologise? You are not your brothers keeper, are you?”

“Most people met when we happen to travel together assume I am.” Roman replied easily, “And I did enter your cave and return today in order to avoid him being harmed.”

“But you didn’t get out of the area as I said to. That would avoid it best.” Virgil near snarled. He must be more worried than Janus expected as they rarely saw the procyon-mer so ready to fight for their river.

The avali twittered for a moment, before Janus heard the dripping of his feathers speed, as if he’d bent over or perhaps bowed. “That I will admit was partly due to my own curiosity over how a blind dragon and some form of mer became friends. Would you tell me the story?”

“No.” Virgil huffed, “Leave the area before you damage it.”

“I see perfectly well, thank you. Enough to know foolish folk give honours to those they cannot know if they should be given them, such as bows.” Janus mused, feigning disinterest and wondering if the words would make Roman doubt their blindness.

Before Roman replied however a cackle came from behind them, “You’re blind and I’m your friend.” Remus called, moving fast as he spoke so Janus didn’t try to pretend they could see him.

Virgil let out a low growl, “Just move on with your exploring and leave me river be.”

Janus could only assume neither avali showed signs of following the demand as they settled into chatting, ignoring Virgil.

/\

“Please do apologise needlessly for Remus again. I’m riveted to your words every time.” Janus drawled out, hearing the splash of someone feathered climb out of the water in their cave. It had been 3 weeks since the avali had arrived and they’d both visited everyday.

In all honesty Janus found them amusing now, but the regular apologies Roman repeated were tedious.

“Actually I was wondering if you’d seen him today. His shelter moved.” The voice sounded chipper, as if it was mere curiosity that brought the question, not concern as Janus thought most people felt if their family went missing.

“Can’t you see him right beside me, Roman? It’s clear he’s been here all this time and not exploring whatever caught his interest of the moment.” They didn’t hold back their smug head tilt, or tail waving around the area when hearing the avali moving around them, likely trying to confirm their words.

Sure enough it was only a few moments before Roman spoke again, “Eurgh, maybe I should start jumping in and out. All this swimming will ruin my gorgeous feathers. Also you can simply say he isn’t here rather than lying.”

“Your reactions amuse me, and friends do tease each other, correct?” Janus tried to imitate the wonder Thomas spoke with on some of his visits. They did view these two avali as friends now, and was fairly sure that Virgil did too since the grumbling was less about trying to make them leave now, rather focusing on ensuring they didn’t impact the areas ecosystem too much.

Roman’s breath caught. “I’m humbled by your friendship and gratified to have it. Please also be warned that Remus will be cheering when you mention this to him, since you refuse to let me apologise on his behalf.”

“If he appears in my caves I will do so.” Janus nodded slowly.

[bruisedribs]

@anxiouslyfred

Virgil is part-procyon, part-mer. He's been assigned to Janus' river to look after the ecosystem, as all rivers and lakes have mers assigned to them. Being part-procyon, Virgil gets a strong connection to the river that he's protecting. He mostly sleeps during the day, hiding amongst the submerged plants.

Virgil is a cautious being, watching Janus for weeks to determine if the dragon is a threat to the river. Janus in turn spends weeks trying to figure out if Virgil is a threat. Their first time actually interacting is likely due to a sleepy Janus accidentally swimming into Virgil and the both of them panicking.

Roman and Remus are a pair of avali. Although siblings, they barely know each other as their species usually don't treat each other with any sense of kinship. They have been travelling the country independently, and by complete coincidence they both end up by the mountain river at basically the same time.

Now to figure out how to include Remy, Dice, Andy and October because I love those four. And whoever you want to include.

[anxiouslyfred]

Riverside Cave

For mine and @lostcephalopods dragonau

Summary: The avali siblings explore a riverbank and Remus ends up jumping into a cave that happens to be a dragons home.

/\/\

“It's a cave!” Remus declared from the bank opposite Roman. He was halfway up a rocky outcrop, looking down at something out of view to Roman.

The river was a fair depth and width but easy enough for either of them to cross if they so desired. Roman didn't desire. Joining up with Remus was always a matter of coincidence more than deliberation and they'd doubtless be separating directions soon enough.

Still, he supposed, brothers can be good entertainment occasionally. “Dare you to explore it.” He goaded, carrying on further along the river.

With Remus readily jumping down into the cave, any reply given was too muffled and distorted by echoes for Roman to understand. He wasn't bothered or about to cross the river just to jump down a hole. It would mess up his feathers to enter a cave like that. Perhaps if he saw an area further along that could be a cave entrance he'd explore and see if it joined the one Remus was now doubtless deep within.

/\/\

If avali are skilled at anything, it's falling. Well, it's not, but Remus had worked hard to turn the slow flights they could achieve into an ability to end up every jump and fall stood firm upon whichever surface he reached.

That's why he so cheerfully exploring the cave by jumping feet first into it.

He could see the ledge, perhaps a boulder, not to far down and aimed for that, even while looking around curiously. It was already obviously more than just a cave and the ledge definitely wasn't just that.

This was a series of caves, deliberately extended and arranged into rooms and Remus was thrilled.

There had to be someone new to meet, who might just have the impressive anger at an unexpected intrusion he could argue with.

/\/\

“Why are you staring at the other riverbank?”

Roman startled at the words, looking around in confusion before spotting the white and black face peering up at him from the water. “Who are you?”

“Procyon guard of the river. Why are you staring at the other bank? What are you doing in my forest?” The procyon identified easily, but glared as he repeated the question.

“Another avali decided to explore a hole he declared is a cave. I'm trying to see where he'll come out again since he never leaves by the same entrance he goes in through.” Roman didn't hesitate to explain, stepping back when the procyon moved as if to reach for a weapon.

Instead he pushed himself out of the water, revealing a mer tail, and dagger tied to it that was being gripped but not drawn now as the tail was fully pulled from the water. “An avali tribe is moving into the forest?”

“Nope. We're on our own. Just exploring.” Roman quickly explained, noticing but not understanding when the procyon glanced back over the river.

After a few more suspicious looks over Roman, the procyon nodded. “The branch hanging low to the water just along there; that's where the other avali will come out opposite. Wait for him then leave our forest.” There was a threat in the words, but mostly it was concern of the dangers avali might bring to the area.

“He's not going to be rushing through there.” Roman stated, ruffling his feathers up in preparation for flight. “If you want us to leave, I better go find him.”

“If he has any brain, he'll be out here before -” The procyon's speech was cut off by a loud yell reverberating through the caves that Roman could hear was a lot larger than anything he'd been imagining. “Well, before that.”

Roman had taken off, almost in instinct. He might not hold any true care for his brother, no avali generally did for their family, but he did pride himself on rescuing people under attack “Who is that?” He demanded, yelling back to the procyon, before realising he was keeping pace with his flight, swimming below him.

“Local dragon. Is this other avali loud? I'd have thought he'd have had longer before getting discovered in there.” The procyon asked, seemingly unconcerned there was an annoyed dragon, in contrast to his preparation to fight at the thought of an avali tribe entering the forest.

/\/\

Now when talking about the many people of the world, Remus had been told not to disturb a large number of them. Avali are relatively small in comparison to most of them, and similar enough to some prey animals that they'd had conflicts with, and stolen technology from almost all the others.

Dragons particularly came with the warning, not to disturb them, to avoid entering their homes where possible and definitely never ever enter the room a dragon stores their hoard.

In jumping into this cave, he seemed to have managed to do all of those things. Granted he disturbed the dragon deliberately, recognising what was curled on a pile of blankets opposite and deciding to introduce himself.

What was odd however was that the dragon didn't immediately turn to face him.

“Sooo, should I just wait for you to wake up properly, or can you really not see?” He decided to ask a few moments after the roar that came from waking them up.

“What are you? Who let you into my caves?” The hiss came back, now directed just to the right of Remus. He wanted to reach out and make them face in the right direction, but was sure that would end up in his death and didn't feel like that right now.

Instead he folded his legs under himself to sit down. “I'm Remus, an avali. Roman's probably looking for your normal way in now, but we were just exploring and I saw a hole that looked like it could be a cave. Didn't realise it was what, a ventilation hole? For your home.”

“I suppose I can introduce myself too. I'm Janus, a river dragon.” They introduced, scenting the air again. “At least you're the only one in here currently. Don't avali have feathers?”

“Yes, I'm very good at controlling any time I fall or jump.” Remus happily replied. It wasn't the provoked yelling he'd been hoping for but befriending a dragon sounded marvellous too.

Janus shook their head. “I mean that you coming through a ventilation gap Thomas decided was needed is all well and good but if Roman tries to find the main entrance he'll get soaked on the way in.”

“Got any flour or other powders I can throw at him then? He'll look a mess for weeks if I manage it right.” The idea was simple but that made it all the more sweet to try.

“Then you'll leave?” Janus was clearly aiming to demand that but Remus decided it was an unwilling request.

He jumped up, patting the dragon's side as he wandered in the direction of a room that seemed similarly sparsely decorated, hoping if he could avoid finding their hoard, then he could remain longer. “Doesn't sound like you want that and I don't want to sooo, only far enough to get like a shelter in the woods made. Then I can come visit again tomorrow.”

“Sorry for intruding Janus.” The call came from a room a few away from the one Remus was walking through now, and had the dragon soon catching him up.

“If you've brought the other avali this one is speaking about, then it's a welcome intrusion. Perhaps both of them will be on their way now.” Janus called back, herding Remus to move faster with his tail.

Remus crossed his arms, pouting when he couldn't get over the tail to reach any of the flour he spotted in the kitchen. “No fair. I want to make friends with you, not get pushed out.”

“Do so outside of my cave then.” Janus nodded.

/\/\

Roman was only listening to the conversation echoing through the caves absently, more focused on the space he'd had to swim a short way to enter and on ensuring his feathers would dry smoothly as quickly as possible.

It was more comfortable than he'd expected a dragon's cave to be, and had furniture that he wouldn't have expected. Dragons never usually took on bipedal forms, so why were there tables and chairs clearly intended for bipedal people?

“Excuse me, please can my brother be forgiven for the intrusion. I know I was the one to dare him to explore the cave but we had no idea that this was your marvellous home.” He called out when he could see the dragon's snout.

Remus cackled in response. “I don't think Janus is too upset about it. They're just herding me out of here not yelling or even grumbling currently.”

“Then you should be counting yourself lucky that that's the case.” Roman scolded. He didn't waste time in grabbing Remus's arm with the intent to pull him out of there, but he couldn't prevent the yell Remus let out.

“I'll be seeing you tomorrow Jan-jan and Racoon-fish.”

Suddenly Roman didn't want his path with Remus to diverge, if only in order to stop the other from insulting someone who would kill him.

[anxiouslyfred]

... just a thought, not even going into how a mer/procyon would come to be, I have little clue what Virgil looks like now. Does he get racoon legs and tail when on land and a mer tail when in the water? is his skin a mix of fur and scales or mainly one with the other making the stripes a procyon has?

if there’s weapons or armour in the hoard then Roman gets distracted by admiring it and figuring out ways to make some for himself, given it’s definitely too big for an avali

good point well made. does being friends with Thomas make Janus less wary of Remy or are they still suspicious until they’ve got a bit more used to Remy? Also does that mean Janus knows Remy before Virgil or the twins?

@anxiouslyfred

Virgil is part-procyon, part-mer. He's been assigned to Janus' river to look after the ecosystem, as all rivers and lakes have mers assigned to them. Being part-procyon, Virgil gets a strong connection to the river that he's protecting. He mostly sleeps during the day, hiding amongst the submerged plants.

Virgil is a cautious being, watching Janus for weeks to determine if the dragon is a threat to the river. Janus in turn spends weeks trying to figure out if Virgil is a threat. Their first time actually interacting is likely due to a sleepy Janus accidentally swimming into Virgil and the both of them panicking.

Roman and Remus are a pair of avali. Although siblings, they barely know each other as their species usually don't treat each other with any sense of kinship. They have been travelling the country independently, and by complete coincidence they both end up by the mountain river at basically the same time.

Now to figure out how to include Remy, Dice, Andy and October because I love those four. And whoever you want to include.

[bruisedribs]

Janus is very cute when they want to be. So basically every time they're around someone they trust.

That's true. And Virgil isn't completely mer, so maybe being part-procyon helps.

The moment that Remus gets too close, Janus will be back in dragonform and baring their teeth. What about Roman tho? I thought he got dared to explore first?

Yeah I don't think real life awkwardness translates to this situation. Janus probably sees Thomas as their caretaker and part of their hoard, rather than any sort of parental figure.

@anxiouslyfred

Virgil is part-procyon, part-mer. He's been assigned to Janus' river to look after the ecosystem, as all rivers and lakes have mers assigned to them. Being part-procyon, Virgil gets a strong connection to the river that he's protecting. He mostly sleeps during the day, hiding amongst the submerged plants.

Virgil is a cautious being, watching Janus for weeks to determine if the dragon is a threat to the river. Janus in turn spends weeks trying to figure out if Virgil is a threat. Their first time actually interacting is likely due to a sleepy Janus accidentally swimming into Virgil and the both of them panicking.

Roman and Remus are a pair of avali. Although siblings, they barely know each other as their species usually don't treat each other with any sense of kinship. They have been travelling the country independently, and by complete coincidence they both end up by the mountain river at basically the same time.

Now to figure out how to include Remy, Dice, Andy and October because I love those four. And whoever you want to include.