Bhaskara

Bhaskara always adores spending quality time with her step-sister. She couldn’t ask for a better sibling. Lolipop’s creative passions are such a joy to witness and the fact that Bhaskara—or Bhaski to friends and family—is invited to join her on an outing to paint makes Bhaski incredibly happy. The two of them set out to explore Parched Canyonwalks and find the perfect spot for Loli to paint.

They find a spot that Lolipop likes best and Bhaski takes to talking with her as she lays out her supplies and canvas. Once the painting is underway, Bhaski takes it upon herself to wander around the area in search of interesting things. She’s never been picky; peculiarly shaped rocks, vibrant coloured feathers left behind by a dodo, even tree branches and twigs that spark her fancy.

Truth is, Bhaski looks for her own passion in the objects she collects. Her greatest desire is to find something of her own to invest her time, just like Lolipop. Just like many others in her clan.

On this particular day, Bhaski finds something far more fascinating than a stick or a pebble, though.

She hears the croaking first. It’s so alien to hear in the dry and arid climate of Dragonhome that Bhaski immediately seeks out the creature responsible.

A plump golden frog with brown striping sits in the shade of a large boulder.

Bhaski is immediately intrigued. “Oh hello there. You’re not from around here, are you?”

The frog croaks as if in reply. The frog can’t possibly understand her, yet Bhaski has the sense that it spoke to her. If it did, she has no idea what it said. Is it an it? Or a he? She? How does one know the chosen gender of a frog? But why is this frog here? Dragonhome isn’t can’t possibly be this froggy’s natural habitat, right? Surely the regions of water or nature would be better for this little creature?

Bhaski doesn’t realise she’s asking all these questions out loud until she gets a few rapid croaks in response.

“If you’re trying to tell me something, I don’t know what it is, friend. But I don’t think you’ll be safe out here.” She’s made up her mind before she can second-guess herself. The frog is scooped up into her claws, gently cradled and then she sets off to find her sister and see about returning home.

Her new friend settles in rather quickly once brought back and set up with a space of his own (she thinks it’s a he). Bhaski had every intention on taking him to the edge of the Viridian Labyrinth, but her little friend felt so right in her home.

The next time the frog croaks at her, she realises she needs food for him. Once acquired, the frog still looks up at her and croaks a second time. “Oh, of course!”

“What? You understood that?” Lolipop has appeared in the doorway, frowning.

Bhaski hedges, “I think so? He wants me to go get my own food too…?” She looks to the frog as if asking for confirmation and gets a resounding croak. “Right!”

Thus a bond is forged between amphibian and dragon. One that grows rapidly. Bhaski doesn’t think of the frog she named Aurum as a pet. He’s her friend. Funny and cute, but also independent and capable. She only has to help him with tasks not suited to his size and limbs. Or explain to others in her clan what Aurum is trying to say when he speaks up in conversation.

Better still, learning to live with and help Aurum drives her to want to learn more about other creatures, too. One chance encounter with a golden frog has sparked a passion in Bhaskara, one she nurtures with study and interacting with more and more diverse creatures from many different places in Sornieth. Of course, no matter how many common animals or unique familiars she meets, Bhaski will always have Aurum by her side. He will always be her favourite and her best friend. Just don’t tell the others.

Art by irradiatedsnakes
Lore by blackhare
Dividers by Voratte