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Post by endingwonderland on May 10, 2023 6:19:46 GMT
"Nothing to say, well before the insulting questions come, no these are not all my clutch, I enjoy tending to the younger offspring of the lesser creatures, unlike my own kind they care not for the color of my scales but that I am there, even if it is as an object, some even treat me kindly and offer me treats.. badly burnt and horribly flavored but delicious because the effort and affection overpowers any lingering mystery ingredients... so what are you doing here, Black male?" The crimson dragonesse seemed more tired than annoyed, like every one who stopped and looked at her had the same thought, where they all her own spawn. Without Alison to interpret for him Villiam once again found himself voiceless in a world of articulate and well spoken dragons. "Apologies that was very unbecoming, my name is Holi, what is yours, or would you prefer I continue calling you Male?" Holi introduced herself slightly extending her wings to make it apparent she was attempting a bow while remaining perfectly still.
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Post by swapgo on May 10, 2023 11:30:40 GMT
Oh, right.
Villiam looked ready to conjure some sort of disappointed exhalation before he was stopped by some long winded presumption. It seemed like this dragoness was harassed one too many times for being kind to the lesser beings, which, well, somewhat dispelled the harmonious picture that was coming together. It seemed like even the unassuming, relaxed dragons also perpetuated some sort of despondent oppression over their lesser kin. Villiam lowered his head and apologized with a wounded groan, exhaling a tumultous puff of knotted smoke to try and get across that, despite having things to say, his throat was tied up as far as it came to speaking. Hopefully Alison is done with her errands, though he figured he would have to make himself easier to find for her later.
When queried for a name, Villiam pondered, groaning mouth agape. Spelling out his whole name seemed patronizing, and actually, he hadn't paid attention around town to see if the typography used was anywhere. His eyes scanned his surroundings to confirm that, if it were, he could seamlessly just introduce himself as "V" for the time being, otherwise, he would have to shut his maw, concentrate, and try and replicate a character that he saw in some of the signs visible from here and pray to these four(five) dragon gods that it isn't something embarrassing.
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Post by endingwonderland on May 12, 2023 1:55:26 GMT
"Forgive me for being assumptive but are all black dragon males so cryptic and silent?" Holi asked with a light scoff and an idea struck her. "Hold still V" She instructed and raised her head making the lesserlings flee her neck area with a deep inhale she stared Villiam down and raised her neck back before thrusting forward and expelling a beautiful ruby red flame that enveloped Villiam. Normally fire wouldn't affect Villiam but this fire was special as it wasn't, fire, it was materialized vitality, any fatigue, hunger, or pain Villiam had felt since being summoned was washed away, his entire body given the sensation of dipping into a warm bath, minor scratches and scuffs on his scales were erased and his body was soothed as if he had taken a long rest. "Apologies if that startled you, but do you find yourself recovered, can you speak now or was it not an injury that prevented you?" Holi's face changed from curious to worried, she seemed to carry a great deal of compassion for others which was uncharacteristic of the dragons of legend in Vrist being selfish hoarding creatures of might and misery.
"Interesting" The black dragon looked from the sky as they saw another black dragon and a red dragon having a stand off which resulted in the black dragon taking a ruby flame bath. "Its not often you see a red using that on another flight... maybe that's what I'm looking for..." Taking a turn and descending towards the pair the black dragon watched with curiosity, perhaps having found another candidate for the Bahamut unknowingly.
Alison busily scrawled her drawings but felt a, tug, she sense Villiam needed her and tried to hurry sighing "I wish I could be at his side..."
Doth thou wish thy companion present? The voice inquired among the cacophony of Holi's wards exclaiming about the ruby breath and their adoration for their 'scale mother' showing her awesome power, as well as some interested in the cryptic black dragon but being respectful and not approaching him when he intentionally made himself distant.
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Post by swapgo on May 12, 2023 2:25:10 GMT
Well he didn't think he needed to sober up.
Despite the fact that he understood that a flame breath would do him no harm, Villiam still gently turned his face in a slight flinch, though he received a much more summary respite. He hadn't noticed how weary he was up until he wasn't, after all, he probably has done more excercise today than in a week in Vrist. Villiam shook his wings gently, feeling a sense of newfound spryness, though he returned a puzzled look as it seemed like Holi expected him to recover from an affliction, sadly, this was not something you could fix with a healing spell, you couldn't teach a cat to speak, not since the king outlawed the practice, of course.
Villiam apologized and waved his hand sideways with a groan, he appreciated her efforts, but alas, his throat couldn't articulate words, painlessly, that is. The dragon rose his other claw up and spat a gout of smoke in the shape of a human silhouette, fitting comfortably on his palm, standing decisively with an extended arm. He had an aide for this, but she was off to her own devices. Distracted by his own craft momentarily, Villiam looked up as he heard a voice, wondering if he was in some way finally getting across, yes, that would be grand, he dislikes being a bother, but doesn't wants to depart sheepishly and mysteriously at the same time.
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Post by endingwonderland on May 12, 2023 2:36:47 GMT
A small charge of blue energy wrapped around Villiam before Alison appeared out of nowhere holding two very old scrolls in her possession, bewildered and unprepared for her transport she let out a small yell when she fell to the ground. "What!?" as the dust settled she looked around and realized that she wasn't in the library anymore and was now standing between two fairly bewildered dragons.
"Oh.. hello little thing, that was quite an entrance." Holi was surprised to say the least and the lesserlings were in awe of Villiam and his teleportation magic some of the azure scaled whelps recognizing it as the grand skill teleportation held by the elders of their flight.
"That settles it." The other black drake watched in awe as Villiam used blue magic and confirmed that this was indeed another candidate, hastening his descent with a dive he landed like a bomb kicking up dust and dirt in a cloud that made Holi instinctively shield the younglings with her wings coughing as the storm passed over. "You there..." The black dragon started before seeing Alison and putting two and two together. "Villiam is it?" The black dragon was nearly Villiam's size but seemed to be much more slender, or sleek, as their onyx scales were like the night sky with specks of white starlight. "Fancy meeting another candidate for the Bahamut here of all places." The onyx dragon confidently strode up to Villiam leaving Holi and Alison out of its mind for a second. "With a human companion no less, quite a court you're building but regardless, I am here to offer you a charitable and friendly piece of advice, don't pursue the throne, it belongs to me." The onyx dragon spread their wings aggressively and reared up onto two feet before shrinking down into a humanoid form, the nobleman with glistening orange eyes and black hair. "Newcomers can't just walk up and start picking all the choice options for themselves,... I knew about the scale mother but the human avatar was a new discovery to me, how about you give me her, and I allow you to leave here unmarred?" The nobleman less asked than demanded causing Alison to retreat back towards Villiam having shielded the scrolls with her body out of instinct.
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Post by swapgo on May 12, 2023 11:24:36 GMT
Villiam was briefly stunned by the hands-free display of magic that he was manifesting, but he knew better than to panic when holding volatile sorcery in your hands.
The dragon sheepishly greeted Alison with a curl of his claw, trying to rethink about what just happened, he heard a voice, not for the first time, ask him if he wanted his companion back, and it happened, that was more or less the gist of it, right? Weird world, weird rules, weird summoning ritual, he should be paying more attention instead of dismissing things as fatigue, though in his defense that might be much easier now. The dragon glanced up and witnessed the predatory dive bomb fall before them, leaning forward to hurry Alison behind him with his claws and taking a proactive approach by batting his left wing to kick the dust back away, even if his body cared much less about some ashen dust.
Villiam sat back up, keeping his wing close to Alison as a sleeker dragon approached him, talking about a squabble over the right to be 'Bahamut', his eyes narrowed, so it wasn't the name of the 5th god, it was their title, and it was up for grabs? So this cult that Alison spoke about, it didn't fail to summon the right dragon, it failed to survive their own spell and convince him to be a Bahamut. Villiam missed some of the courteous threats while putting all of this together, but didn't need too much imagination to get the gist of it, prompting him to give a tired sigh, a dishonest one at the moment. He already has a throne, and only sought to return to it, he didn't care if this onyx dragon wanted to chase his dreams.
The dragon visage couldn't hide his genuine surprise as this adversary chose to shrink down before making his threats known, that's not how typically how intimidation works, but at least it meant that he had access to some form of spellcraft. He would've perhaps obligued without question, their goals seemed to align after all, but he brought Alison into the discussion, regardless of whatever 'avatar-ness' he sees in her, he wouldn't give up his only point of confort in Veristana. The dragon gave a single step forward, spouting a piece of smog in the shape of crossed blades, he accepted the duel, as boorish and uncouth as he outlaid it
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Post by endingwonderland on May 13, 2023 11:22:06 GMT
"Stow your claws Villiam." The black noble laughed and shook his head. "First formalities, My name is Orion Night I am of the prestigious Night Dukedom and head of the family, your mention of a throne... it intrigues me, as no black dragon holds a kingdom of their very own... in Veristana at least." Orion smirked letting Villiam know that he knew his secret, after seeing Alison researching Veristanian history and seeing him so unawares of who Orion was it wasn't hard to piece together that he was from far, far, far, away. "I am not sure about your homeland but do Kings fight on the frontlines of their wars? Seems like it would be a short lived dynasty if that were the case, Here in Veristana Kings use Knights to fight their battles... you do have Knights where you are from yes?" Orion was intrigued and amused at this black dragon who came from seemingly nowhere, rare was it that any one challenged him.
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Post by swapgo on May 13, 2023 13:43:49 GMT
Ah, this is more of the kind of noble he's grown accustomed to.
Villiam didn't care that Orion found him a foreigner, his origin wasn't a secret, but he wasn't exactly in a position, or need, to divulge it. The dragon scoffed at the contempt, spouting a crown shape piece of smoke to atop the dueling swords. "At a time, yes, it was by fighting in the frontlines that they became rulers. Knights are a more recent development". Ancient warfare of his realm relied heavily on Platinum-armed units, as such, it wasn't rare for two or three units on each side to be the deciding factor in a battle, and for the rest of the army to provide relief to them, it is only in this walled era that the king anoints a more middling elite. "Will you recourse to this, then? You would threaten me and my aide personally, and dispatch a knight in your stead?", Villiam questioned by tilting his head, his nostrils releasing licks of flame as he normalized his breathing.
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Post by endingwonderland on May 18, 2023 23:55:17 GMT
"To remove a competitor from the competition, gladly, I would employ any means, such is the nature of the game of thrones we find ourselves in my friend but... something tells me you are at best a pawn and at worst an unwilling participant so perhaps we can avoid this, if you give me your only possible knight then naturally you would be eliminated, perhaps even released of the bonds that tether you to this plane." Orion explained moving his left hand making a white mist appear between his fingers. "You may or may not know this but black dragons are a bit special, they say with colors that white is the absence of color and black is the saturation of every color, such is true for Dragon Flights as well, black dragons are simultaneously the most powerful and weak depending on how many followers they have, thus why only a black dragon can be crowned Bahamut... or The Sovereign King in more modern tongues." Orion was being awfully forthcoming with information to what would essentially be his enemy. "I simply want to reduce the playing field of uncontrollable pieces, being unversed in this world as you are, you are as unpredictable a piece as any if not already proven by your acquisition of one of the few existing Avatars in the world and your successful wooing of a red queen." Orion pointed to Alison and Holi.
"He did not woo me." Holi snapped by now the little ones having gone home or fled. "If you wish to have a duel then far be it from me to stop you, but not in the presence of the little ones." Holi stood to her full height, no where near Villiam's size but still intimidating, spreading her wings and puffing brilliant crimson ruby fire. "You may not be hurt but you will obliterate this country and everyone in it." Holi more or less chastised Orion for knowing better but still behaving this way.
"This is what I was researching, apparently, Saint Shiva and Bahamut weren't lovers, but partners in a competition between the first flight of dragons, every flight competed but the black flight came out on top and was crowned supreme, most of their victory can be attributed to their ability to learn every flight's unique abilities if they have one of them as a subordinate.... and Saint Shiva was the first Avatar, a human who is able to summon the power of a dragon that they bond themselves too, a perfect knight." Alison quietly explained through their gained telekinesis and Orion smirked clicking his tongue.
"Oh little Avatar, Black dragons are capable of more than mere imitation, an experienced Dragon can combine the peculiar quirks of the flights into new abilities or empower them with their own, taking the ability to read their partners mind to the ability to read anyone's mind." Orion explained without moving his mouth, transmitting his thoughts to Villiam and Alison which was intrusive feeling to say the least.
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Post by swapgo on May 19, 2023 0:18:39 GMT
Villiam coyly raised his head and apologized, not willing to gamble Alison on a 'perhaps'.
It was an odd gambit that this Orion played, whether it was on pride or on subterfuge, he let him know the rules of the game they were playing. Holi took umbrage to Orion blowing their small non-chat out of proportion, and Villiam took umbrage at him inferring that this small chat surge from some abstract desire for power. Besides, how hard can finding an Avatar be, for he to have come across upon one by happenstance? Is it too much of a hassle to run a census of the 'rabble' for a noble of such caliber, that he sought to take his?.
The actual intrusive thoughts weren't all that new, but were quite different. Villiam rolled his eyes, sitting down expectantly in no apparent worry, he would rather depart if all that Orion was doing was elaborating on assumptions and delusions he had no business in. Would he then challenge him to some sort of elaborate match that he would have to be beholden to by the rules of the land? He wagers Chess looks quite different in Veristana.
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Post by endingwonderland on May 22, 2023 14:37:58 GMT
"Actually the challenged holds the right to choose the trial, most are just too thick headed and choose by combat but there have been in history those who played the wisdom card over the strength card." Orion explained smiling at Villiam's response. "Villiam, what I desire more than the throne, is a worthy opponent for it, nothing gained easily is worth more than idle amusement, and I am so very very bored, if you think you can rise to the apex of this world and be a suitable hurdle for me to mount then I will stand aside, but if you're not even going to be a prologue in another's story then what benefit is there in letting you ram head first into the wall that is Bahamut?" Orion explained while analyzing Villiam with glowing eyes, like looking at a prize fighter before a bought. "I'll leave the information on Avatars to your own discretion but she is more valuable than the worlds most rare gemstone and there are those that would take her by force, instead of asking like a civilized person." With a bow Orion shifted back into his full size, only slightly bigger than Villiam but his aura was like staring at the sun. "Grow enough to be of amusement to me and I'll reveal the secrets of how to return to your throne so far, far, away, or you can try to wrest the secrets from my maw, either will be of sufficient entertainment." Licking his fangs Orion imagined the struggle the two would produce when sufficiently armed with knowledge and followers, it was becoming steadily clear that Orion was a combat fanatic and sought not a struggle, but a proper war.
"You're delusional, I hate to devolve into stereotypes but all black dragons think of are kings games and damn the consequences for those caught beneath their feet." Holi protested to the entire concept, letting Villiam fatten himself up like a prize big just to be slaughtered later, needless to say what would happen to anyone who deigned to follow him as their candidate, it was all madness, it was why all but the black flights withdrew from the Bahamut, too much needless slaughter and madness. "Even if you achieve the crown no drake will honor it, we stopped serving the Bahamut ages ago, now we all follow the Dragon Gods and they have forbade the crowning of a new Bahamut, your quest is one of suicide." Holi scolded seemingly concerned about the safety of Villiam and Orion, despite clearly not liking one of them.
"Exactly, WHAT better a fight than against a God! or perhaps even GODS!?" Orion crowed letting out a trembling roar. "Just the thought of it excites me too much for present company, if we bring the wrath of the pantheon down on us then so be it, I will be the Bahamut and I will have the challenge that comes with the station... a new age of chaos and carnage where all will seek the crown and fall down the mountain side except for those exceptionally worthy of such strength, my counsel will be filled with those that have fallen at my feet but earned a place of superiority at the apex,.. Villiam, I sincerely hope you will join me in my conquest, if not as an ally than as a sharpening stone." Orion lowered his head before departing leaving the Red and the black Dragon in lurch.
"He's insane...." Holi sighed turning her gaze to Villiam. "And what of you, are you going to seek to bring the wrath of the five most powerful beings down on your head to sate your own glory?"
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Post by swapgo on May 22, 2023 18:11:06 GMT
"Is your plan to pity me to death? Perhaps aflict me with a lethal dose of that boredom of yours?"
Villiam was running short of ways to relay his disinterest in this throne, let alone on playing this set-collecting game in the name of being someone else's 'worthy' ''opponent''. Orion continued to dangle the purported secrets of returning to Vrist, then proceeded to make himself as openly untrustworthy as possible, a bold gambit, perhaps he did count on his ability to infuriate the prince into action, a foolish gambit in the unyielding City of Platinum. Holi didn't seem to be so calm in the face of all this brashness, at most Orion did plant a thorn in his side by antagonizing him in front of this new pleasant acquaintance. She warned of the consequences of challenging gods which only egged on the demented noble, to reiterated his call to action before walking off as if he hadn't partaken on some deranged monologuing in the middle of a quiet mining town plaza.
While he hadn't broken them down, perhaps Orion had cracked Villiam's walls, as Holi's comment caused him to flinch and raise his head with a sharp inhale, excusing himself by raising his right forepaw before opening his maw and letting loose a short, crackling stream of cinders and sparks that popped and spiraled and flickered, feeding more heat than fuel to let loose of all this pent-up hot air. The dragon panted to himself for a moment, he was well used to assuming every interaction to be laced with some form of exploitative self-interest, he was enjoying a break from that, the idea that fellow dragons would see friendly chatter as some bid for power already disgusted him. "I'd rather not, I'd like answers", was his rebuttal, that Alison would have to relay for him, in his own head it sounded much more measured, but it was really no less arrogant.
Villiam had words for Holi, but he didn't wish to burden Alison with relaying them. For now he just requested of Alison to give him what she had brought to him
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 7, 2023 5:43:55 GMT
"Forgive my assumptions then, it seems I am no better than those I loath when it comes to judging a wyrm by their scales." Holi lowered her head in humility. "It is good to see there are dragons of the black flight that are not all like Orion." She perked her head up noticing Alison fidgeting with something in her hands.
"Oh um what I made wasn't that important he he explained it pretty well.." Alison fought against sheer overwhelming embarrassment at the thought of showing Villiam her scribbles not that he couldn't already see them in her minds eye. "But I suppose if I don't have anything to produce then I just wastes everyone's time.. here." Alison surrendered the parchment rolls she has absconded with by total accident as well as her xrude pictograph which was impressionist in style, at least to be decipherable it had to be. Her face full flushed she hid inside her hands waiting for Villiams deliberations on her 'picture book' Holi giving an amused hum from he position bemused by Alison's behaviour
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Post by swapgo on Jun 17, 2023 23:39:57 GMT
Villiam offered his palm and scanned the documents from afar, a poetic description of this grand war that Orion wished to reenact, as well as some sort of crude, sharp rendering of the events to accompany it. While the artistc quality of the picture was not what he expected from a such historic reccounting, he always appreciated the clarity of sharp pictographs. Villiam looked satisfied, and instead apologized to Alison for having to fetch these for him in vain. He hummed and requested she took the items back, having not noticed that she made the hasty drawings despite her admittance of doing so.
The dragon waved away at Holi's apology, there was no need for one, he wished to have an earnest conversation, but not if it meant to partake in some cryptic enlistment for something he cares not about...however, that did bring a question to mind: How did Alison made it back here? Was it also a flight's ability?, he remembered having heard voice call ask if he required assistance, and it wasn't Holi.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 21, 2023 18:01:28 GMT
"Ah oh no I didn't mean to take them.. send me back!" Alison panicked not wanting to get into trouble with the country.
"Calm down little one I will claim ownership of the scrolls, and return them at my leisure, let them harass me, it will be fun." Holi urged Alison to calm down and turned to Villiam. "You are not from Veristana" Holi hummed and narrowed her gaze at Villiam.
"He's asking how I was transported here, I don't know I just... was sitting and then I was here." Alison fretted and Holi laughed gently.
"I have heard stories of Knights being able to be summoned to their King's side, I believe it was called Castling but most people call it by a simpler name, Heralding" Holi lifted her hand and produced a small ball of fire. "Each flight has its own specialties but an Avatar who was sworn as a Knight can be called to their masters side from anywhere in Veristana, so the stories went, there haven't been Avatar since the abolition of the Bahamut and the emergence of the Dragon Gods." Closing her claw the flame was snuffed out leaving a smokey trail. "You communicate through smoke yes?" Taking her hand she drew symbols into the air using the smoke.
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