Asperien

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Asperien was the victim of unfortunate existence. His nest was not well-tended and all of the eggs were small and weak. Out of the three, one did not hatch, one was “it’s complicated”, and one was Asperien. He would have been considered the runt out of any clutch, but he was a runt beyond even the usual standards. Asper was born very small, dull, and weak.

The tribe he was born into were stereotypical Shadow dragons - enjoying trickery and mischief above all else. They constantly poked fun at Asperien as they watched him struggle to crawl around and, eventually, walk more properly. They often told him he was “not a real dragon” because his wings were...well...almost nonexistent. They were teeny tiny upon hatching and did not improve much in the following months. Asperien would unquestionably be unable to fly.

It did not take long for Asper to make the choice to leave his tribe. It didn’t take long for him to travel beyond the bounds of the shadowy realm, muttering “good riddance” under his breath without any further farewell. He crossed into the land of Light, feeling a bit out of place as a rather dark and disfigured dragon. However, his travels brought him into contact with many enlightened dragons - scholars and ‘smart’ types that liked to study him. One day, he came across one who shoved a small piece of paper into his hands.

“What’s this?” Asper asked in confusion as he stared at the folded up paper.

The wise old dragon patted him on the top of his head and grinned. “Open it and see, lad.”

Asperien carefully unfolded the paper and smoothed it out on a stone in front of him. He stared dumbly at it for a few moments, fidgeting nervously.

“Well?” the other dragon asked.

“Well...uh...not a lot of pictures on this…”

“No, lad, it’s an advertisement. I thought it might interest you.” The dragon leaned over Asperien’s paper and nearly tore it with a sharpened claw as he pointed out a particularly long word. “Prosthetics!” he declared.

“Oh,” Asper said softly. “Right, prosthetics.” He stared harder at the paper, wishing he could understand things as easily as this other dragon could. “Um...what’s that got to do with me?”

“Asper, my boy! If this advertisement is true, Blunderblast Industries will change your life!”

“Yeah?”

“Sure! A prosthetic is just what you need. If they’re as good as folks say they are - and I bet they are - they’ll be able to make you a bionic wing. You’ll be able to fly, boy!”

Asperien brightened. “Really? They can do that? Make something so that I can fly?”

“Well, not just any dragon can, but it sure sounds like if anyone can it will be good ol’ Steelspark over at Blunderblast. Now I haven’t worked with them myself, but I’ve heard of their work and when I saw this flyer I knew you had to see. It’s the answer to all your problems!”

“Are you sure? Seems...almost too good to be true.”

“I guess there’s only one way to find out. Head out to Seiyssrial Spire and chat with Steelspark yourself.”

“I guess it won’t hurt to talk to them, huh?”

“Nope, talking never hurt anyone.”

“Where’s Seiyssrial?” Asper peered down at the paper again, wondering if it had some kind of address or directions he couldn’t read. He hoped not - he felt foolish enough already.

“Why it’s usually not too far from here. Just -”

“Usually?”

“It’s a floating island. It travels around the sea - but often tends to be just a ways off our shore,” the older dragon explained.

“Sea. Water? How am I supposed to get there if I can’t fly?”

The older dragon looked perplexed as he ran his claw along the line of his jaw. “Yes, I see how that might be a problem. But!” He raised his claw into the air in exclamation. “I know! There’s some trading ships that head out there every few days - making stops at a lot of islands out in the sea. I bet you can just ride on one of those.”

“Oh! Right. That’s a good idea. I’ve never been at sea before, but riding on a boat sounds like a fun adventure.”

“Aye. Every dragon should find his sea legs at some point in his life. Who knows, you just might find your true calling as a dragon of the seas!”

Asperien scoffed. “I doubt that. I’d not be much use on a ship.”

“No? Well you don’t need to fly to travel on ships. They need dragons to cook and clean just as much as they need dragons to navigate, rustle the winds, and churn the seas.”

“Maybe. But I doubt it. I just want to get to Seiyssrial and talk to this...what did you say his name was again?”

“Steelspark. Sid Steelspark. I’m sure everyone there knows of him. Once you land on the island just ask and someone will point you toward his headquarters.”

“Hmm. Steelspark. Okay.” Asperien began to walk away to head down to the docks to see when he could arrange a passage to the island. He hadn’t meant to leave so abruptly and realized a few strides away that he’d just become lost in his own thoughts. “Oh, sorry! Thank you for giving me this! I want to meet with Steelspark as soon as possible, so I’m going to see if I can get on a ship right away.”

The older dragon chuckled and raised a hand dismissively in the air. “Not to worry, young one. Scuttle on and make your preparations. I wish you the best of luck in your journey.”

Asper ran back and gave the old dragon a hug, thanking him again, before he finally left to begin his adventure to Seiyssrial Spire.

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Asperien was able to arrange passage for just a few days later. He spent a few days at sea before the ship landed at Seiyssrial and then it was but a short run (even for his weak legs) into the marketplace of the spire where he found who he was looking for.

Walking into Blunderblast Industries, Asperien looked around in awe. The walls of the main room were adorned with all sorts of shiny gizmos and gadgets. There were things made of metals, radiant liquids, and gems. He wasn’t sure what most of the things did, but they sure were impressive.

As he was admiring the products on display, another dragon slipped quietly into the room. “Excuse me?” she said after staring at Asper for a brief moment. “Can I help you?”

Asper whirled around to come face to face with a sweet, golden Skydancer. He cleared his throat as he blinked at her, not expecting to come face to face with…her.

She tapped her foot impatiently. “Did you need something?” she inquired again, impatience dripping faintly into her tone.

“Oh...err…” Asperien stared at her for a moment before nodding dumbly.

“Yes?”

“Yeah. Um. I came looking for Steelspark.”

“Ah, of course. Why else would you be here?”

Asperien, missing the irritated sarcasm in her tone, shrugged. “A friend gave me an advertisement. I had to ride a ship all the way here.”

“Is that so?” Roena was still bored. “Are you going to tell me why you’re here or am I going to have to drag that out of you, too?”

“Oh, right. Kind of important, huh?” Asper giggled as he glanced away from the Skydancer back to the things on the walls. “I need something made. Something...fancy like all this stuff.”

“I assumed as much. What, exactly, do you need made?” She stared at Asper, taking note of his features. It didn’t take a genius to see that he was small, lacked muscle, and had the most pathetic pair of wings she’d ever laid eyes on. Her features softened as she studied his wings, feeling sorry for him as she realized what he’d say before he said it.

“I...I need a pair of wings. Or...well, my friend called it, uh...pros-...proth-”

“Prosthetics,” Roena finished for him with a nod. She swooped in toward him, beginning to cluck and hmm quietly to herself as she looked at his wings from other angles. “I can see why you might benefit from some wing enhancements. You can’t fly, can you?”

Asperien shook his head shamefully.

“Oh, not to worry. I don’t think we’ve dealt with any wings quite as small or fragile as yours, but there’s a first time for everything!”

Asperien merely nodded, standing very still as he felt Roena’s touch upon his wings.

“Can you move them at all?”

Asperien fluttered his wings.

“Oh, good! We have something to work with, then. Yes, I’m sure our design team here will have no problem figuring out a solution to your wings. I take it you’d like to be able to fly?”

“Yes. I’ve always dreamed of being able to fly. It must be so wonderful!”

“Well, yes. Dragons are meant to fly. It’s in our nature. Here, come along into our fitting area where we can get a better look at your wings and begin drawing up some plans.” The Skydancer ushered Asper into another room, having him stand upon a soft, cushy platform as she called in a couple others to help her.

A team of four dragons began measuring Asperien’s wings and asking him to move them this way and that. They measured his neck, his legs, his back, and...basically everything! The two two nearly-identical Fae worked quickly in a whirlwind around him, holding up a ribbon to measure everything. The Skydancer furiously scribbled notes and created diagrams, while a shimmering Spiral seemed to do more observing from afar.

Eventually, the evaluation was complete. The Skydancer stepped back and clapped her hands together, the Faes both fluttering out of the room almost on cue. “We’re all done for today!” Roena exclaimed as she beamed at Asperien.

“I’ve written down everything worth noting and have already sketched out a few preliminary ideas. Of course Steelspark-”

“Wait, you’re not Steelspark?”

Roena threw back her head and laughed - a sonorous sound that warmed Asperien’s heart.

“No. Stars, no! I’m Roena. I guess I should have introduced myself earlier but I got so caught up in getting your project started I forgot such things. Steelspark is unfortunately away on business, but don’t worry. I have years of experience here and have helped design many prosthetics. Arc, there,” she said while pointing to the Spiral, “is a skilled alchemist who also assists with many of our designs. Steel will be back in just a couple of days and we’ll let him read through all of this,” she gestured to the notebook, “before we move forward with any certain plans. He might want to call you in to look at you himself, so I’d suggest sticking close by.”

Asperien nodded. “I didn’t doubt your abilities, I just...stupidly thought you were Steelspark.”

“Oh, I’m not offended! Anyway, you do have somewhere to stay?”

“N-no…”

“No? Where are you from?”

“Well, not anywhere in particular. I’ve been traveling. I don’t really have a home.”

“Hmm. Well, that won’t do…”

“He’ll stay with me!” a voice rang out from another room, followed by the sound of clashing metal.

“You okay back there, Iayu?” Roena called as she positioned herself so that she could try to peer through another archway.

“I’m fine! Don’t ruffle your feathers. Did you hear me, though?”

“I heard you. You said he can stay with you.”

“Good. Yes. Aleoraac and I will be happy to welcome him into our home.”

Roena turned her gaze toward Asperien. “Are you okay with that?”

Asper shrugged. “I don’t know that I have much choice. I don’t mind finding a small cave or a bush to sleep in-”

“Nonsense,” Iayu said as she walked into the room covered in soot. “I won’t have any of that. We have no young of our own at the moment, so there’s plenty of room for you at our perch. I’m sure Aleoraac will be glad to meet you.” The Imperial beamed at Asper and removed her glove before reaching out to offer him a handshake. “I’m Iayu. I do the real work around here,” she said with a wink at Roena. “My mate is a guardian-”

“Chief guardian,” Roena added in.

“Here at Seiyssrial. You’re young and small, but I bet you’re scrappy.”

Asperien preened. “I am pretty scrappy. I know how to hunt down my own food even without being able to fly. And I’ve fought off other bigger creatures and ran away from scary dragons and-”

“Exactly my point,” Iayu said with a grin. “You’ll fit right in with us and you’re welcome to stay as long as necessary. It might take us a few weeks - or more - to get your prosthetics made and I won’t have you sleeping in some random place all that time. Besides, a little good food might put some meat on your bones. Proper nutrition is important for a growing hatchling like yourself.”

“Thank you very much,” Asper said as he smiled up at Iayu. “But...I’m not exactly a hatchling. I’m full grown by now, I think.”

“Oh, darling,” Iayu laughed. “Age is just a figment of time. And compared to me, you’re still a youngling. I have children older than you, so please don’t take offense to my words. You’ll always be a little one to me.”

Asperien blushed as he nodded, unsure how to respond. “I...uh...thanks?”

Iayu laughed again and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “It’s settled, then. I’ll have the troublesome twins - those Fae - show you how to get to our home so you can get settled in.”

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Fun Facts!
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Connections!
Steelspark - Suit Designer
Arc - Suit Designer
Roena - Suit Designer