Creative Corner

@Disillusionist

To be honest, I was mostly trying to find a way to make one of the fest skin/accent names fit with this update to fit with my usual theme of naming festival chapters after their skins, plus I thought it would be a fun tidbit of trivia and would answer the need for something unusual that Banella suggested last chapter XD

Silas is one of my new faves and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to introduce him!

Yeah, that's some bad luck! Though that's the charm of the shop, you never really know what you are going to get!

@Aetherstorm

I'm glad you love Eclipse so much! She was a pretty great find while I way brainstorming ideas for what to do for my previous arc!

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/63#post_38683533]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 117: In The Pantry[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36377357] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/363774/36377357_350.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49769280] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/497693/49769280_350.png[/img] [/url] [/center] Eclipse returned to the pantry underneath The Copper Lotus halfheartedly. "Did you find anything?" Rori asked, hopefully lifting her head as the skydancer entered, eyeing the drooping and ow glowing sword with curiosity. Eclipse just shook her head, not knowing how to voice her disappointment. The imperial once again lowered her head and half closed her eyes. Spirits were at an all time low. No one knew where Kipling was, Eclipse could tell Rori and Luster where getting restless. "Where is Luster?" Eclipse asked. "I have something for him." "He went up to get some food. He was getting hungry and I told him to wait until you got back, but when does Luster ever listen?" Rori sighed. "I just wish Kipling were here. He'd know what to do, or at the very least he'd be able to give us some hope, he's just at that. Do you think he's-" "I think if Quartz and Banella had killed him, that would be something they'd want to announce." Eclipse pointed out. "To quash hope and rebellion, you know?" "You know a lot about this sort of thing." Rori commented. "Yeah, well, you met my clan, right?" Eclipse shrugged. "They are all about control." Suddenly, the patter of quick footsteps could be heard and Luster burst into the pantry, a large, stupid grin on his face. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49730873] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/497309/49730873_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Did you bring any food?" Rori asked, lifting her head again. "No, but I brought something better!" Luster exclaimed. A few seconds later, Juliette strolled in. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40857691] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/408577/40857691_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Luster! Why did you bring [i]her[/i] here! We're supposed to be in hiding!" Rori hissed, eyeing the wildclaw suspiciously. "Relax, I'm not going to hurt you!" Juliette said with a toothy grin and raising her hands. She gave an excited swish of the tail. "I'm just excited to know there are others who are opposing Quartz!" "You told her [i]that[/i]!" Rori hissed again. "What? The more support the better!" Luster pointed out, looking slightly offended. "Do you not trust my judgement?" "Wait, there are more of us?" Eclipse asked, ignoring her friend's arguement. Normally, she would side with Rori on this subject, but it looked as though Luster's judgement was sound in this decision. "Well yeah." Juliette shrugged. "Well, at least my mate and I. Thorburn and I got on the wrong side of Quartz last time he was here, and Quartz's reign has made it very difficult for him to run his business. I'm sure there are others. There is no way Aunt India supports them, but I don't think she trusts me after last time. To be honest, I think we're all afraid of telling the wrong person our true alliance." Juliette sighed, looking downcast. Eclipse could feel the waves of remorse coming off of her. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Rori said, jumping to her feet, hope once again returning to her eyes. "If you and Thorburn know Quartz, you know his weaknesses! We can work together, maybe find others to join our cause, and find a way to bring Windkeep Tower back home!" "What kind of business does Thorburn do?" Luster asked, curiously. Juliette didn't respond to the mirror's question and turned to Rori. "That's what I was hoping you would say. Now, follow me, I think I know where we can hide." Juliette slipped behind one of the shelves and disappeared. Looking at each other, the three dragons followed, Rori with some difficulty. They found themselves in a hidden chamber. A few rooms came off of it, it looked as though it had once been a base of some sort, but it had since been abandoned. "You can make yourselves comfortable here. Nobody knows about it but me and Thorburn and-" Juliette went pale. "What is it?" Rori pressed. "And Rubywing and Rhowen." Juliette said, swallowing nervously. "Well, it looks like we'll have to find a new base, or at least use some extra safety measures. In the meantime, you three can make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to find Thorburn and let him know we have support." Juliette slipped out, cursing quietly. The trio stayed quiet until they could no longer hear her footsteps. "So, you still want to blame me, Rori?" Luster asked, sticking out his tongue. "I'm sorry I doubted you, I'm just worried. I can't help but think- if something happened to Kipling-" Rori sighed, her tail swishing nervously. "Hey, watch that thing!" Luster yelped after almost being knocked over by her tail. "We're all worried about Kipling, but we have to move forward." Eclipse pointed out. "We have to work with what we have, and hope it all works out in the end." Rori and Luster nodded. "So, where do we start?" Luster asked. "I don't know yet, but there has to be something we can do." Eclipse said, slipping her fake sword into a holster. Something told this wasn't something she should get rid of. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38722389]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Amezrou @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11 @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @ShinyDecidueye @AlchemyFox[/center] ----- Well, this chapter didn't quite go the way I intended it to, but I like the direction it went. Yesterday, I managed to do some good thinking about what I want out of this arc and now I think I have more of a direction. I mean, before, I knew how I wanted it to start and how I wanted it to end, but now I have the middle more properly sorted out, and it looks as though Juliette and Thorburn are joining the mix (as they should. there were key characters, they deserve a spot in the finale). Oh, just a heads up, I may start posting multiple chapters a day. I have a lot of content this arc needs and only about a month and a half to write it all. There likely won't be multiple chapters today, but on days that I have more time, it's a possibility!

@Petall Ooh, excellent! It's great to see Juliette again and to also hear a bit about Rubywing and Rhowen. I hope Thorburn's become, erm, more savory after he managed to wiggle out of Quartz' clutches. I like the thought of all four of them acting a bit like double agents, smuggling information out to the resistance. [b]Sidenote:[/b] Would you be willing to sell Nekuia to me for treasure? He's really pretty! [emoji=heart]

@Disillusionist I had forgotten how much I missed writing Juliette, and how long it's been since she's appeared in anything! I can't wait to bring Thorburn into this too, and play with his dynamics with Luster! [emoji=mirror tongue] Of course! I'd be honored to have you give him a home! I'll set up a CR right away!

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38706547]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 118: Walking The Tightrope[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=41895746] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/418958/41895746_350.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=41890810] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/418909/41890810_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] The spirit of the big ring circus tent was unnaturally subdued. What was once a haven of performance and magic and entertainment was now turned into a training grounds and haven for the undead army. The circus itself had long ago fallen silent, and what was once shiny and new had fallen into disrepair and become rather ominous. The decline of the circus, however, was the least of Kyra's worries. "I'll rip his throat out!" She growled, the claws of the roc she had been transformed into tearing a dummy to shreds. The intensity of her attack caught Kulshan by surprise and he had to struggle to maintain the illusion and keep up with her. Kyra didn't notice. "Hasn't Quartz taken enough? Why can't he leave! Us! Alone!" Kyra growled, turning on another dummy, and another, until all of the training dummys were nothing but piles of torn fabric, feathers, and sand. She paused, breathing heavily, feeling the roc shells around her breathe with her. Her ears rang, and she could hear footsteps approaching. She spun around, ready to attack the arrival, but no sooner had she raced to meet the newcomer in battle did Kulshan drop the illusion and the roc mask clattered to the floor. Kyra was left facing an unimpressed Magiere. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=26649130] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/266492/26649130_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Is that the best you can do?' Magiere scoffed. "Seriously, I expected better from my mate's top tier performers. You are supposed to be the heart of the army, you know." "Over my dead body!" Kyra spat, a piece of spittle flying out of her mouth and landing on Magiere's cheek. "Well, my dear, Kaladin isn't picky either way." Magiere wiped the spittle off, glaring at Kyra. "And I'd watch what you say about our king and queen. They're going to be sticking around for a while, and they don't tolerate disloyalty." [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=46260519] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/462606/46260519_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Is there any reason you are here, or have you just come to gloat?" Fiona asked with false sweetness. The acrobat was spiraling around, perfecting her agility. In her talons she held daggers. Her grace was no longer performative, it was to be harnessed and deployed to strike with speed and agility. She did not stop her training as she spoke, nor did she meet Megiere's steely gaze. "I have come to announce the arrival of three royal hatchlings early this morning." Magiere said, head held high with the pride of delivering such important news. "Prince Topaz has been named heir to the throne, followed by Princess Garnet and Prince Sapphire." "Give the royal couple my congratulations." Kyra growled through gritted teeth. "Now leave." "Tsk tsk tsk." Magiere tutted. "This is not [i]your[/i] circus anymore, my dear, you don't get to call the shots." "It's not [i]your[/i] circus either." Kyra pointed out. "We answer to Kaladin only." "And Kaladin now answers to me." Magiere pointed out. "Now, keep training, you aren't allowed to leave the big ring until I say so." And with that, the wildclaw stepped outside the tent and summoned a pink barrier around the tent. It shimmered brightly, and Kyra knew it was useless to even try to break through it. "Just who does she think she is!" Kyra fumed. "Kyra, chill. Everything is fine, okay?" Kulshan said, approaching his wife to soothe her. "We'll get through this, we always do. The good guys will win, they always do!" "Yes, but how much will we lose along the way? I've already lost my home and my family. My [i]father[/i] killed my family and destroyed my clan. How do I even go back from that?" Kyra reminded him. "Hey, we're your family now." Fiona reminded her, dropping her daggers and rushing forward to hug Kyra. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=43080299] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/430803/43080299_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Yeah, exactly! You haven't lost everyone!" Loran grinned at his aunt and raced to join the hug. "And you won't lose us!" "And we have a new home, and it's here." Kulshan reminded her, wrapping his wings around everyone huddling together. "And we will fight for it. We'll find a way to get around Kaladin's orders and Magiere's spells. We won't fight for Quartz and Banella when the time comes. We'll take a stand! We'll fight for everything we've fought for before!" "Besides, you know that the reason Magiere is such a grump is because Kaladin doesn't truly love her. She has power yes, but not control." Lorcan pointed out. "Lorcan, don't gossip!" Fiona scolded, but she was grinning ear to ear. "What, it's true! You only have to mention anything vaguely romantic to hear of his 'great heartbreak' and the loss of 'his rose' and how 'he'll never love again.'" Lorcan went on. "Seriously, every time Lyra comes down to see me before a show I never hear the end of it. I might even be able to tell the story better than he can at this point!" "Don't be mean." Fiona said, trying to keep a straight face. "He's gone through a lot." "He won't even let my wife give me a 'good luck' kiss before a show without making some sort of comment. Goodness knows what he says with you two both being part of the same act." Lorcan teased his aunt. "Oh, it's just dreadful!" Kyra admitted with a smile. "I guess I do feel bad for Magiere. A bit." "Hey! You're supposed to be training! Now wasting the day yammering on about idle gossip!" Magiere shouted from outside the barrier. She was too far to have heard any of their conversation, but she looked furious regardless. Kyra couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I mean it! Or you'll be here all night as well as all day!" Magiere boomed. "I don't know about you, but I want to get home to my wife. Let's get to work." Lorcan said, returning to his position in the ring. The rest of the circus performers fell into place, preparing for the battle they were sure would someday come. All they had to do was figure out how to get past Magiere's hypnotism. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38738685]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Amezrou @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11 @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @ShinyDecidueye @AlchemyFox[/center] ----- I figured giving a snapshot of the circus dragons was a good way to also announce the arrival of the royal hatchlings. They are on page 4 of my lair if you want to see them! I'm glad I finally got the chance to mention Kaladin's lost love! I've been meaning to slip it in somewhere for a long time but it never felt right without being forced. But it's such an essential part of his character because the death of his love was the reason he turned to necromancy, to try to get her back. Also, we got to dig deeper into Kyra and the circus dragons! I recently reread CleverDual's lore and was reminded of where these dragons came from and their connections to her lore. I've added links to chapters of her lore that they are mentioned in to their lore links in their bios, so I can catalogue everywhere they are all mentioned and remember their beginnings. I've been taking in spares from her alphabet legacy challenge for a long time now. The ones I currently have in my clan are Banella, India, Juliette, Kyra, Lorcan, Maye, Nills, Oceana, Porter, Quinnlan, Rori and Silas! Oh! And Xaiya, Xinskarr's mate is Porter's sister from a much later nest!

@Petall It was kind of good to see the circus dragons again -- "kind of" because while I was happy to finally know how they're doing, I can't help feeling sorry for them. (Magiere can go stew in a lake or something. xD) I really like the dialogue between all of them, though; you can tell they really care for and lean on each other. (And that juicy, juicy gossip, wow!)

@Disillusionist [emoji=new friend] I'm so glad you enjoy the circus dragons so much! It's nice to be able to actually write their dynamics and not just have them exist in my head!

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38722389]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 119: Hideaway[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36377357] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/363774/36377357_350.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49769280] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/497693/49769280_350.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49730873] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/497309/49730873_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] In the few days since discovering the secret hideout in the pantry, the trio had managed to make themselves rather company. Juliette had made sure to drop by regularly to drop off food and supplies, as well as the occasional spare gadget Juliette had made but been unable to put to use. The day after showing them the secret door, she fixed a lock to it that would only unlatch with the right passcode. Eclipse, Rori and Luster, while grateful for the safety of the pantry hideaway, had to admit they were getting a bit bored. They were on their twenty fifth game of Uno today, and it wasn't even time for lunch yet. Juliette had found the battered deck in some dusty corner of the Copper Lotus. Just as Luster placed his last card (causing Rori to pick up four more) there was the beeping of someone trying the code door. Eclipse looked up curiously, placing her cards down. Juliette wasn't due for another delivery until this evening, and the old gear clock only read 11:30am. When a chubby bogsneak waddled in, all three dragons jumped to their feet, dropping their cards all over the floor. Instinctively, Eclipse drew her sword, forgetting that it was fake, and cursed as the glowing blade drooped once more. she tossed it to the ground, ready to fight tooth and claw if necessary. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=41058623] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/410587/41058623_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Relax! I'm on your side!" The bogsneak said, raising his wings defensively. "I'm Thorburn. Juliette might have mentioned I'd be stopping by?" He glanced at the confused faces of the trio. "No? Of course she didn't." He growled. "Sorry!" Rori squeaked. "We just weren't expecting anyone-" "Expecting anyone like me, yeah I know. I get that all the time." Thorburn waved his tail nonchalantly before thumping it on the ground. "Look, I just wanted to check up on y'all and see what wonderful plans you have for me to get my business back-- I mean overthrow the evil tyrants or whatever." "If I may ask-" Luster pressed, raising a talon. "What kind of business do you run?" "Luster, isn't it? I've heard of you and your rinky-dink wares." Thorburn sniffed. "But you do show promise. At least, when it comes to duping tourists. I specialize in a much superior market." "And what market is that?" Luster for once didn't seem to be offended by the criticism of his work. His eyes were dancing with excitement and curiosity. "The black market." Thorburn said proudly. He looked at the trio of dragons before him, clearly expecting them to be impressed. Luster was the only one who seemed remotely interested. Rori had lowered her head and raised a front paw to her face and was now shaking her head in exasperation. Eclipse, however, saw an opportunity before her. Maybe not the type of opportunity Luster saw, but a chance at some answers. "Do you know anything about a shopkeeper named Silas?" Eclipse asked. "The magic shopkeeper?" Thorburn asked. "Yeah, I've heard of him. What's it to you? Did he sell you that?" The bogsneak guffawed as he pointed at the sword lying limply on the floor. The glow was fading. "It was supposed to be a lunar blade." Eclipse said sharply, glaring at Thorburn. "Yeah, Silas's shop'll do that to ya." Thorburn said, his compusure slipping as he tried to keep a straight face. "But I'm not surprised it did it this time. Silas and his brother is powerful, but this is something else. A lunar blade you say?" Thorburn whistled. "Those go for a pretty penny. They are the stuff of legend." "So I've heard." Eclipse said icily. "Wait, does that make you a moon warrior?" Thorburn asked, his laughter suddenly stopping. his eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Eclipse nodded. "No! I can't believe it, you're really-?" "We went back in time to get her and saved her from an evil clan that was trying to kill her for becoming a moon warrior." Rori said, giving Thorburn a quick rundown. Eclipse could tell from the sideways glance she was giving the bogsneak that she didn't exactly trust their new ally. "Wild." Thorburn whistled again. "I've heard rumors of time travel but I didn't know it was actually possible, and he is living proof! Do you think you could-" "No, we are not giving you our time travel devices." Rori said quickly. "They aren't for sale and I need to return them to my uncle anyways." "Well, it was worth a shot." Thorburn shrugged, unperturbed. "Do you know anything about where I can find a lunar blade?' Eclipse asked, keen to not let their previous topic of discussion slip away. "Now that's a difficult one. I've heard of them selling in the Shadow Flight black market, relics of the past and all that, but I've never seen on with my own eyes. I did meet a moon warrior once, back in the Tangled Wood. Last of her kind apparently." Thorburn said wistfully. "There's more moon warriors? We haven't died out? I thought-" Eclipse was growing excited. By the time she had performed the rite the tradition was too far gone for her to be trained by an actual moon warrior, and now there was a sliver of a chance of meeting another. "You thought they were the stuff of myth and legend? Yeah, me too kid. So do the rest of Sornieth." Thorburn said. "I thought someone was pulling my leg. Well, Raizel wasn't easy to find, she's a bit of a hermit, doesn't like people seeking her out for obvious reasons. Don't get your hopes up, she only appears if she wants to be found. Besides, you need to stay here and help me- I mean us- get the clan back. Now, do y'all have any food? I'm starving." The bogsneak invited himself for lunch, but as the discussion stretched on Eclipse found she couldn't focus on Luster's attempts to worm his way into Thorburn's good books and sell him something, or Rori's string of questions towards the bogsneak trying to turn him from a life of crime. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest she was surprised the others couldn't here it. Her wings itched to go and take her back to her birth flight to find Raizel. After Thorburn left, Rori tried to beg her friend not to go. "It's a wild goose chase. We can find a way to do this without your lunar blade. It's far more important to do what we can to stop Quartz and Banella from doing more harm to Windkeep Tower!" Rori pleaded. "Thorburn is probably lying anyways. If there was even a rumor of another moon warrior, Sacredscream and Pheonix would have known about it and told Kipling. Heck, even Merry would have heard some snippet. He wouldn't let something like that go, not when it makes for such good storytelling material. He's up to something, we can't let him mess us up!" "Look, it doesn't make sense. Why would Thorburn want to trick us?" Eclipse said. "He may not be in it for the right reasons and he may not have the most trustworthy of professions, but he wants Quartz and Banella gone as much as we do. You heard Juliette, Quartz is interfering with his business. He's against Quartz, and how does that old saying go? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?" "I just think we're spreading ourselves too thin." Rori pointed out. "We still don't know where Kipling is, support for the rebellion is scattered. I just think right now, it's more valuable to work close to home and not spend months or even years galavanting around Sornieth chasing some myth." "I think she should go." Luster cut in. "I'll go with her, even if you won't." "No, Rori is right, you both should stay here." Eclipse shook her head. "This is your clan, and you have a responsibility to keep it safe. This is the only chance I have to actually explore my heritage and stand a chance of growing powerful enough to actually help your clan the way you want me to. You know what you are doing here better than I do. And I won't be gone forever. If I can't find her, I'll come right back and find some other way to help. But I need to do this." "I don't like it, but I know I can't stop you." Rori sighed. "Thank you." Eclipse nodded. She didn't like splitting the party like this, but everything within her wanted to go and meet another moon warrior, and she couldn't deny that call. She just hoped it was the right choice. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38743676]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Amezrou @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11 @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @ShinyDecidueye @AlchemyFox[/center] ----- I wasn't sure whether I'd get to today's chapter, but better late than never, eh?

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/64#post_38738685]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 120: Don't Cry Over Spilled Soup[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49769280] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/497693/49769280_350.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36377357] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/363774/36377357_350.png[/img] [/url] [/center] "You have everything you need for your journey? You have the map? You know where you're going?' Rori said, rushing around the pantry hideaway trying to spot something they may have missed. "What are you, my mom?" Eclipse asked, shaking her head with a smile. "I'm fine, I've got everything, I've had breakfast. "Are you sure you want to go?" Rori felt a pang at the thought of seeing her friend leave. In such tumultuous times, who knew if she would return. It seemed like an impossible quest to Rori, but she wasn't one to judge. Sure, she was sure she was going to be driven crazy by having only Luster for company. "I've got to." Eclipse said solemnly. "You know I have to do this. But don't worry." Eclipse fiddled with the green necklace Thorburn and Juliette had given her, guaranteed to give her safe passage home if she should ever need it. Of course, it was a Thorburn guarantee, so Rori didn't trust it any more than she would trust a Luster guarantee, but it was nice to at least have [i]something[/i]. "Where is Luster?' Eclipse asked. "I need to say goodbye." "I don't know. He left early in the before breakfast, mumbling something about needing to get something. He probably caught wind of some sort of deal from Thorburn or something." Rori shrugged. She had given up on stopping her friend from risking discovery on pointless missions. "Oh well, you'll have to tell him goodbye for me then." Eclipse said, swinging a dark bag over her shoulder. "I will." Rori said. "You have a safe journey, alright? I want you back in one piece after all the work we went through to get you." "Of course." Eclipse grinned. The two dragons hugged, and Eclipse left, leaving Rori alone in the pantry hideaway. Rori had been expecting it to be nice to finally have some space to herself, but the emptiness just felt strange. She wished Kipling was here. Somehow his absence was even more noticeable with no one else around. She missed his jokes, and the feeling of his slight weight on her antlers or the gentle tug on his settling in her mane. She hoped he was okay, but there was no way to know. She couldn't even send him a letter. Or could she... [center][img]https://orig00.deviantart.net/e0bf/f/2018/247/7/5/divider_by_cas_a_fras-dcm237t.png[/img][/center] Rori slipped through the staff entrance of the Copper Lotus. Twilight had arrived, and the tavern would be at its busiest. Hopefully that would make it easier to find what she was looking for without being noticed. She crept through the kitchen, keeping as low as she could. She almost let out a yelp as her tail swept a bowl off the counter, spilling hot tomato soup all over her. Giving herself a shake and putting the bowl on the counter again, she carried on. She didn't have time to clean it up now, every extra second was another chance to be noticed by Quartz, Banella and their henchmen. Taking a deep breath, and licking a few drops of tomato soup off her lips, she dared to poke her head out of the back to see if India was serving customers. She didn't see the wildclaw, but she didn't have a chance to get a good look around before she felt something tugging on her tail. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27851143] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/278512/27851143_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "I thought I heard someone sneaking around. Are you just going to leave that mess?" Romilda asked. The bogsneak, who usually worked night shifts in The Copper Lotus, was staring at her with beady eyes. "I don't have the time-" Rori tried to explain. "Bounty or no bounty, some customer just lost their soup and now we have to make them a whole new one. And you are going to help with that." Romilda explained. "But-" Rori protested. "Look, if I had to wake up from my well-deserved nap because someone doesn't know how to be properly stealthy, you have to help clean up this mess and make a new bowl of soup." Romilda silenced her. "Now, you know where the mops are." [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=48280400] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/482805/48280400_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Romilda, I'd be happy to help if Rori needs to go!" Hobbes said, poking a head out of the maintenance cupboard. His goggles were askew and it looked like he was in the middle of something. "I appreciate the offer Hobbes, but it's Rori's mess and she needs to clean it up. If you want to help me, however, so I can go back to sleep before what I'm sure is going to be another long shift tonight, you are welcome to do so." Romilda sighed. The guardian seemed to be one of the few dragons the ornery bogsneak cared for, not that she ever said it. Hobbes was one of the few dragons Romilda actually listened to. "I'd be happy to help!" Hobbes said with a cheery grin. He put down the wrench he was holding, grabbed a mop, and began cleaning the floor. Rori set to work pulling together a new pot of soup. Seeing that the two had set to work, Romilda yawned, revealing her sharp teeth, and lumbered back to her room to sleep. "Thanks for your help back there. Romilda is scary when she gets angry." Rori grinned as she stirred the soup. "She's not that bad." Hobbes shrugged. "She's just sleepy." Rori was about to make some sort of retort when she remembered that Romilda was Hobbes' charge. They made for an odd pair, but after the rumors she had heard about Romilda's upbringing, she guessed she was glad she had someone looking out for her the way Hobbes did. Maybe she should be more patient with the bogsneak when the bounty was lifted and she returned to work. Just as the soup was finishing up, India entered the kitchen. "I can't believe I forgot about Dremasul's soup! The poor dear is so quiet, he should have spoken up sooner! Oh! Rori! What are you doing here?" [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40726683] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/407267/40726683_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "I was looking for you actually." Rori asked, stepping aside so that India could scoop some of the finished soup into a bowl. "You should have sent me a note or something! A bounty was put on your head after you were seen arriving back at Windkeep Tower! It's not safe for you to be out here! Hold on, let me deliver this soup and I'll be right back." "You all good here?" Hobbes asked, giving Rori a thumbs up. Rori nodded and returned his thumbs up. "Great! Stay safe, and maybe I'll see you around?" Hobbes grinned, and returned to the maintenance closet. Not long afterwards, India bustled in, dusting some crumbs off of her apparel. "You have soup in your mane." She commented, reaching for a cloth and beginning to wipe down Rori's soup-stained scales. Rori ducked, but she knew avoiding India's care was pointless. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about?" "I was wondering if-" Rori lowered her voice. "If you knew anything about Kipling. We've been so worried-" "Oh of course you are!" India said, rinsing the cloth and throwing it in a laundry bin. She then began setting to work tidying the kitchen and preparing a couple sandwiches. Rori automatically set to work helping her. "You know, I've been meaning to visit you and your friends down in the pantry one of these days but work has kept me so busy." India said. "Yes, I know about that. Juliette warned me so that I wouldn't think someone was after my canned goods. I'm always underestimating that girl, she's really grown up recently. I'm still not sure about that Thorburn fellow but she's not a hatchling anymore, I guess I can trust her judgement." Rori nodded. "She's been a huge help, I don't know what we would have done without her." "She's very reliable, that's for sure." India agreed. "Now Kipling. Actually, here isn't the best place to talk about this. Why don't I come down to see you tomorrow night, that way we can be sure our conversation doesn't fall on unwelcome ears." Rori nodded. "Thank you." "Do you have enough food? Have you eaten dinner yet?' India asked. "We're good, Juliette has seen to that." Rori confirmed. "Thank you though." "Nonsense, you have become like a daughter to me in the time that you've been here. Why don't you take some food anyways. Why not a bit of cake? We have some leftover from our dessert selection yesterday in the icebox. Juliette is so practical, I bet she doesn't bring you much in the way of sweets." India pushed. "Thank you India." Rori said, tears forming in her eyes at her kind words. "You can call me Aunt India, if you like." India said. Rori couldn't help it, she burst out into tears. India rushed forward to give her a quick hug and loaded her up with cake and sent her back to the pantry before rushing off to deliver the sandwiches to customers. Rori couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy as she made her way back to the hideout. India thought of her as family, and soon she would know where Kipling was. The promise of information probably meant he was alive and safe too. she couldn't wait to tell Luster. Expect by the time she made it back to the pantry hideaway, Luster still had not returned. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/65#post_38763133]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Amezrou @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11 @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @ShinyDecidueye @AlchemyFox[/center] ----- I love India. Do you love India? I love India. I almost cried while writing this. Plus, I got the opportunity to cameo Romilda and Hobbes! Romilda was my very first bogsneak! I bought or won her egg or something not long after bogsneaks became a thing and I ended up giving her away in a lair purge, but she came back to me at the beginning of this year! I'm trying to feature as many of my dragons as I can in this arc, even if they don't play huge roles. Fun fact: her name is Romilda because her primary is maroon and the only thing I think when I hear the word maroon is how much Ron Weasley hates that colour. So I named him Romilda because I have a feeling after the events of the Half Blood Prince he's not too keen on Romilda Vane.

@Petall Whooo, [i]finally[/i] I have some time to read and comment on this! XD It was...kinda nice to see Thorburn again, I guess? He's as irascible as ever, heh, though it's fun to consider how he and Luster might get along later on. I'm normally not a big fan of parties getting split up, but it works so well in this narrative and I'm actually excited to see how things will turn out for them. Hobbes is a real sweetheart! [emoji=heart] I like the idea of a Guardian having a parent as their Charge; I don't think that's something I've seen before. And Romilda! I knew I'd heard that name somewhere. It's an interesting connection! xDD She's had quite a history, wow. [i]Dremasuuuuuul~!![/i] Haha, I should probably stop saying that. It was great to see India again, too; she's awesome. [emoji=guardian love]