Fortold

^{⟞_C A R E T A K E R _⟝}


Fortold comes from a proud Ice clan. Shizuo, they called themselves, and always with pride and reverence. Their clan was one with a storied history, longstanding in the Snowsquall Tundra. But as time went by, for what felt like no reason at all, the clan dwindled and dwindled until there was practically nothing left. Home was filled with empty huts and echoing halls of nothing and nobody. To Fortold, it felt like watching a member of her family wither away. She couldn't bear it.

She managed her way out of the Icefield and traveled across Sornieth. Fortold is a curious dragon, and learned a lot, but in her heart something ached for the cold and the white, wide sky of home.

For a while, the little void in her chest was filled by the attentions of a handsome Skydancer who became her companion on her travels. His name was Xyran, Ice, just like her, and the two of them were each others' homes. For a while, anyways. They were both young and flighty, and when their three children flew out of their nest, Xyran confessed he needed to move on. His attentions had been captured by a nomadic Wind - well, Fortold wouldn't say "cult," but she'd think it - and they were making their way towards the Twisting Crescendo. Fortold accepted it, and they said their goodbyes gracefully, knowing the time they had together had been well-spent.

Fortold kept wandering, and was unhappy to notice that the void she'd had in her chest hadn't been filled in any - in fact, it had seemed to expand. Things she'd see reminded her of not only her clanmates, her hatchlinghood flights over the tundra, but of Xyran, of the home they'd shared. She missed him dearly, but it was too late. Maybe she'd just spent her life wandering around searching for something... and then let it go before she'd realized she'd had it.

Affogato, ever sensitive to those who needed comfort, took her aside one day in one of the tunnels, out of the heat (the blasted heat that Fortold couldn't ever stand, no Ice dragon worth their bones ever could) and told her what she needed to hear. There is no going back; there is only ever going forward. She needed to get out of her past and make something of her future. Fortold then had a nice cry into his fur (thankfully, Tundra's memories are quite bad). Fortold looked forward and knew she'd be happiest in a familiar environment: back home. Now, maybe she wouldn't quite go home home, but the Icefield is where she was hatched, and where she belonged. The borders were open, now - this was her chance to return.

x

She had barely stepped foot into the main sprawl of Bonerattle Point before she was accosted by a vaguely dragon-shaped mess of feathers and fronds, one which was babbling along in the most rapid Draconic she'd ever heard. Twice her size, it bowled her over, and as she laid there blinking dazedly upwards, the mess looked down and ripped off its helmet. Staring down at her with elation was... well. Home.

Xyran had found her again, nearly on accident. He'd returned to the Icefield once he heard news of the borders opening to seek new meaning, feeling just as empty as she'd found herself. The dragons at Bonerattle Point were varied, fascinating, charismatic, but Xyran still didn't feel himself fulfilled. But he knew, he just knew (he said as he babbled at her excitedly when catching up) that she would find her way back there too one day, and that's why his fate led him there. Fortold doesn't believe in fate. Too much happened in her life without rhyme or reason. But she believes, somehow, in him.

They agreed they'll never make the mistake of leaving each other ever again. They're older now. Smarter, more stable, and most importantly: know what they'll lose if they do.

i

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PRONOUNS she/her ROLE hatchling caretaker TITLE the 105th TRAITS morose, caring, down-to-earth LIKES the cold, beetles, Xyran DISLIKES heat, cruelty FRIENDS Ananya, Kolya, Tykva ENEMIES Vernyy, Bodryashchiy ALLEGIANCE only to Xyran

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i_⟞_ A R T_-G A L L E R Y _⟝ _-_◇ link ◇ link ◇ link ◇ ________________________ ____"⟞_ T H E M E _⟝ _◇ my one and only love ◇

bio coding by astrotheology ◇ graphics by osiem