Darling

Uh-oh, looks like this marine biologist wandered a little too far from his home lair (Fantivity #541094), and now he's off to see the world! If you ever feel the urge to exalt, he'd really appreciate it if you could just return him home instead, or to the 'Dragons Off to See the World' thread, here. If you don't want another traveler in return, you can also drop him off at the Traveling Dragon Rest Hub!

Darling harbors a love for all things aquatic. He's decided to travel the world to catalogue the many different flora and fauna that live near or in the water.



Perched on the cliffs overlooking Lanternlea Port, the Sunbeam Lanternhouse fished its own marine fare from the bay, though he learned that often, they simply didn't, due to Haruna's prejudices. But with Ryuu's presence among the guests, she'd (somewhat ungraciously) prepared pescetarian meals, which provided Darling opportunity to study native Light marine life.

When Ryuu got tired of Haruna's long-suffering looks and decided to move, Darling asked to accompany him.



Darling was grateful that he could accompany Ryuu, as the residents of this lair weren't particularly friendly towards travelers. The clan's leader, NightProwler, was gracious enough to give him parchment and ink to record his studies of the specimens Ryuu brought back to him each morning. When he tried to speak with other dragons about his research however, very few would listen to him, and even fewer would seem to show interest, only to never speak to him again.

One day, Ryuu returned with only one fish in his nets, which was enough grounds to end the deal with him being able to fish with the rest of the fishers within the lair. So Darling along with Ryuu quickly packed their things and left.



When he and Ryuu arrived at the next lair he wandered the lair and began studying under another pearlcatcher named Crow, although Ryuu wasn't as lucky Darling convinced him to stay for awhile despite the lack of space.

Darling wanted to study as much as he could under Crow since there was so much to learn from this clan, also a former traveler Epik who was talking about going out to find another mate, "i wish you well in your search Epik" Darling said bowing his head to the mirror male "thank you, friend" Epik said politely



They decided to stay in the plague area for just a bit longer after Ryuu and Darling happened upon the Sky Runners. Darling found an instant friend in Java, the clan chef. He was talented in serving meals that DIDN'T make food from the fish that Darling so love to study.

While water supply here was sparse, the two dragons learned much about survival and combat before they were once again set on their way.


Somewhere along the way Ryuu was separated from Darling. He eventually ended up back at his original home, he met a newcomer named Canna he had a nest with her. Not really knowing any of the new dragons he left home again to travel some more leaving his hatchlings with their mother.



Lanternlea Port seemed like a logical place to go for access to the ocean and sea life; the external sea was a fascinating area for study, not nearly as well-documented as the Sea of a Thousand Currents. He took a room at an inn in the Helianthus Haven, a little village outside of the port town proper. The cheap rent made it worth the long trip to the shore, and besides, he didn't intend to spend much time in town. His goal was to get passage on a ship, and the innkeeper suggested a Captain Nessi for that purpose.

Her ship and crew seemed distinctly shady, but he hit it off with Nessi all the same. Like him, she loved the sea, and like him, she'd traveled the world in her youth. They swapped stories of their travels while the crew prepared for their next voyage. He wasn't going to be the only passenger; there was also a Snapper named Herelie, and a beautiful Skydancer named Migor. He was immediately smitten with Migor, and over the course of their voyage it became clear that she returned his feelings. They shared an interest in the sea and in sea life, although Migor was less knowledgeable about marine biology; he was able to take some fascinating notes, and he and Migor shared a nest on their return to shore. A five-egg nest.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all those hatchlings just may have been a factor in his decision to move on rather than continue his studies of the exterior sea.



Darling continued his travels until he reached a small chain of stony islands off the west coast of the Windswept Plateau. This seemed a good spot to examine some tide pool creatures, and he spent the next several days island-hopping; examining various starfish, urchins, and anemones among the rocks. On the fifth day, he reached the last island. From here he could more closely see the Crescendo in its eternal spiral, dark walls of sheer clouds shot through with lightning. Enthralled by the storm, he was quite surprised when a flight of sixteen skydancers landed behind him.

Apparently, this last isle was a meeting point and a drop-off. They were returning from a mission, and they seemed surprised to find him there. Nevertheless, he questioned them until he learned they came from within the Crescendo itself, and queried if he might accompany them back. Their leader agreed, and he found himself in the midst of the flock as they plunged into the storm.

As it turned out, the eye of the hurricane was a wonderful clear place, with a small cluster of spire islands in the center that the skydancers called home. Storm’s End was home to a small city, a bustling system of caves and bridges huddled above the sea. Above all, Darling was delighted to find an abundance of sea life to study. There were more creatures in the tide pools to pick though. Shoals of fish that the gatherers skimmed from the waves with nets. A pod of bicorn whales who one unique individual had befriended and swam with every day. Tsunami’s unique kinship with the whales was definitely worth studying more closely.

Darling spent several months in Storm’s End, joining their Water dragons on diving expeditions to gather seafood, or swimming through clear blue waters with whales… but eventually the time came for him to leave. The sealife that could be found in a shallower environment, walled off by a terrible hurricane, was too limited to study any longer. He said his goodbyes to his hosts and was accompanied by two Lightning dragons to make the return trip through the Crescendo.

Still, it had been a nice place. He could see why the flock had guarded its location so closely.



When Darling visited the Idyllic Isles he quickly befriended Epidote. The tundra frequently dove into the waters surrounding the isles and was happy to show them off to a curious visitor. Especially one so interested in marine life. They exchanged notes on the local environment and agreed to remain pen pals long after Darling would leave the isles.

Darling's tour of the second isle was shorter, as the maren pod who was transferred to the Isles took up home there. They were not very appreciative of being disturbed once again so Darling kept to a smaller area for his studies. He then hurried along to the remote Third Isle.

The Temple shored along a more swampy area provided an interesting new place for Darling to get his claws into. Many nights were spent investigating the area and noting the lack of plentiful sea life he expected to find. Was it because of the deities magic? The isles were definitely unique.

Having had his fill and plenty of fun, he returned to the first isle. He stocked up generously to pass through the horrid Shipwreck Cove again and eagerly set sail for his next journey.



Owners I've Had:
/Fantivity, 541094 (original home)
xlMidnightRoselx, 220082
sgkat, 158838
LizardTheGremlin, 347048
HappyAccidents, 518309
Got put in the hub
/Fantivity, 541094 (got taken home to be sent out again)
Got put in the hub again
Lirillith, #149136
/ grxndsxn, 437722
RogueRouge, #580813
St0rmbringer, #588306
Abysea, #137206