Chashora

Chashora
Painter in a strange land

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The sun is nearing its zenith, and Chashora is dying. It is a nasty, monstrous thing, hanging just above the tallest of Suna's spires, from where its sharp tendrils reach out across the world and lash anyone unfortunate enough to stand in its direct path. Chashora can, sadly enough, count herself among their number. The mirror is curled up by her booth, attempting to fit her long body under the tent set up to provide shade.

Chashora had been delighted when the festival committee had invited her to run one of the stands, images of eager kids and hatchlings lining up to have their faces painted had immediately started running through her mind. She had only been in Suna for a few weeks, but during that time dragons and longneck alike had regaled her with tales of the glorious Sun's Rise, the longest day in the year.
Ach, and that it ended up this way! Temperatures had reached record highes and most of Suna's inhabitants stayed inside to enjoy bowls of fruit water together, rather than brave the outside world. The heat kept even flies away from her booth. At least the paint hadn't dried out, kept in constant motion by a water rune latched to its container.

Her moping is interrupted by a sudden visitor. "What are you doing?" A sharp voice cuts through the hot air. Chashora grunts and squints out at the bright desert, searching for the voice's owner. It belongs to perhaps the tiniest longneck she's ever seen, not counting the kids running after her. The doe is strutting towards the booth, twirling a bright blue parasol adorned with yellow flowers and tiny pink hearts. It is ridiculously cute. When she reaches the tent, she brandishes the parasol at Chashora like a rapier. "Where are the customers?" she demands to know.

"Not here. Probably enjoying a meal with their families inside."

"Well. Is that so." The longneck seems a bit taken aback. She shakes her head. "Youths. Can't handle even the sun nowadays," she mutters.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" She gives Chashora a terrifying grin full of sharp teeth. "Good thing I'm here! These, these are your customers now!" She points at her flock. "Look at them," she coos, gesticulating at the huddle of longneck kids. "Aren't they the most adorable thing you've ever seen??"

If Chashora wasn't presently dying, she might have been inclined to agree. Dressed up in colourful fabrics and holding matching parasols, each kid is staring at her with wide eyes, whispering among themselves.
As it is, Chashora is most certainly dying, so her only answer is burrowing deeper under the bright orange canvas. "They're cute," she mutters as she hides from their stares.

"That they are. And they would be even cuter with a big bright sun on their forehead. Yona, you're up!"

The kid in question rushes into her booth. He practically throws himself at the stool, where he then perches, eyes twinkling like it's his birthday. And, considering it is Sun's Rise, then maybe it's not too far off?
"Sooooo," he starts, "what do you do?"

"I paint... people. She wanted me to paint a sun?"

"Yeah, on my forehead, to celebrate the day!" He gives her a happy grin, and Chashora can't help but feel a bit of joy in return.

"Well then, little guy, I better do a good job," she says.

She carefully dips her brush into the bright yellow paint, and starts her work.

Adoptable by @Longlivemydragon!

Adoptable by @Vendrus!

Gem by @shroudrat!