SeiShun

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Mate: Avon-Kei Family: Ming-Ku Occupation: Second to Command

Artwork: Album

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The question of where it is Sei-Shun came from is one that continues to linger in the backs of older dragon's minds, even to this day. Though he possesses the blood and magic of the Shadowbinder, his sister hails from another deity, and their pasts are shrouded in mystery. If asked, all he will say is that he cannot recall his parents, and if he ever knew them it was so long ago they have faded from his memory completely.

In his youth, Sei-Shun was wild tempered and distrustful of anyone besides his sister. He possessed a strong will and a sharp tongue to match his spitfire temper; traits he can never be sure were an asset or a detriment. In many ways, it was thanks to his unyielding anger at the world that he and Ming-Ku survived long enough to join with Nocte. And yet he would be without many scars if he had been more demure in childhood.

When they were barely more than hatchlings wandering the treacherous Tangled Wood, Sei-Shun and Ming-Ku were found by the young Avon-Kei. At the time, he was nothing more than the dear friend and adviser of the leader Asura, who agreed to take in the orphan Pearlcatchers. Avon-Kei took a special interest in the siblings and visited them often, keeping a close eye on their recovery, but always assuring them that if they truly wished they could leave the clan at any time.

At the time they were too young and too new to the clan to be truly effected when Asura departed and passed the mantle on to Avon-Kei. To them it was simply that one day their guardian was just another warrior, and the next he stood tall and proud and led the flock. By then, Sei-Shun had grown to respect and admire Avon-Kei, perhaps even revere him in many ways.

He trailed after the Imperial, and soon the leader took him under his wing as an apprentice. Sei-Shun was taught all of the clan's history, the every twist and turn of their narrative up until the very moment Avon-Kei had begun speaking to to him. He learned their customs, new and old, their laws and creeds, the beliefs they based themselves upon. His studies covered every aspect of the clan, the role of Archivist, of Warrior, of Leader, of Adviser.

Sei-Shun continued to learn beneath Avon-Kei's gentle hand and watchful eye. Though soon it had been a great while since he was merely the leader's youthful apprentice, he still carried the title with affection and pride. His loyalty to Avon-Kei was unwavering, and his dedication to the clan unshakable. Perhaps his only pain in life became the knowledge that his own heart beat in time with one he could never have. Sei-Shun could never be sure when it was he came to love his leader, perhaps he always had, or when it was he imprinted upon him. Only that he did, and he was, and he would remain at his side, content to just be near him as long as he may be allowed.

Perhaps it was inevitable that such peace be interrupted. As Sei-Shun had come to accept the burden of his own heart, he was suddenly faced with wounds history had left to fester. Forgotten scars became rent open as Sepheraph, the second in command, turned his fangs against the clan he had helped to found. The assault was sudden, and unexpected, stunning the unprepared Nocte long enough for the advantage to be gained by their opponents.

Sei-Shun recovered fast. He took charge, sending scouts to alert their allies and scrambling to protect those who could not fight for themselves. It was chaos, cluttered and incomprehensible. For every opponent they felled, ten more appeared in their place. Old foes bled from between the trees like a vile wound unscabbed, and though Sei-Shun strained to defend his home, he knew it was only a matter of time before their forces began to dwindle.

Regnarox arrived first. Though he brought with him only a handful of dragons, the Plague leader was a force to be reckoned with, both in combat and on the sidelines. He took charge, roaring orders and baring teeth and talon to rend apart every foe that came his way. Sei-Shun fought at his side, forcing back their opponents, trying to ascertain the damage already done. “Leave!” the young leader had roared. “Find Avon-Kei! You must protect your leader!”

With only a brief look back at the writhing fray of battle, Sei-Shun surged forth, batting aside all that came at him as he sought after his teacher, his leader. His world. It was not hard to find him, for he alone battled a single opponent, the traitor himself baring magic for magic against the man he had professed to respect. But all is fair in war, and though Sei-Shun knew that in a common duel Avon-Kei would prefer honor, there was no room for that here. He set upon Sepheraph, taking up at his leader’s side to cripple their one time ally.

No matter what is said, he will always blame himself for what came next. For being too light headed with adrenaline, too woozy with loss of blood and exertion of magic, to process that the fight had been too simple. That it had all been a plan. When Sepheraph tore into Avon-Kei, Sei-Shun tried to go to his side, and in that split second of distraction he missed the dark magic that came tearing through the air in his direction.

He remembers pain. Blinding, bone-crushing pain, like fire tearing holes in his belly, and then the world goes black. His heartbeat drones a funeral march in his ears, each thump a reminder of the things he hasn’t done, the yearning he has never expressed. When Sei-Shun awoke at last, the siege was over, and he had survived.

Amidst the aftermath there was not as much sorrow as he might have expected. He woke to Avon-Kei watching over him, and soon after was greeted by his sister, who took the time looking over his injuries to scold him relentlessly for making her worry. Outside the room where he woke he was sure that the world had continued turning, and when he was well enough to leave there would surely be many burdens for him to shoulder, but the time for that had not quiet come. Instead, a more pressing matter drew his attention.

It is funny how nearly losing a person can put into perspective how silly some of our actions can be. Sei-Shun had stared down death and the Shade in the same breath, and in the wake of it had realized how blindingly obvious he and his intended mate had been. They'd both been so scared by one another's reactions they'd let themselves put their hearts on hold, and it seemed so foolish now. He wasn't alone in feeling this way.

Admittedly, it was not how the pair had wanted to confess their mutual feelings, or how they had wanted to consummate them. And yet, if the only positive thing to come of the siege was this then that was alright. With their changing relationship, change also came over the clan. Among those changes, Sei-Shun finally dropped the title of "apprentice", and instead took up the mantle of his mate's second in command. The change in status, and their mating, was met with respect and joy from the clan at large.

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