Tsuchi

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Tsuchi The Apothecary Outcast • Herbalist • Brewsmith ~Exalt Rescue~

There was a pitter-patter on the mud a ways away, barely audible over the pouring rain. He was shivering from the intense cold and terrified of what it could be. It seemed to pause and keep moving, almost as if it's looking for something. Water thick with mud and ice cold was beginning to pool slightly at his feet, filling the tiny tunnel he barely sheltered in; and he feared it would only rise more and more until he drowned in it. The noise grew closer, evolving into more of a splish-splash as the creature moved into a more flooded area. Second thoughts slithered their way through his mind as he realized he couldn't feel his tail anymore. "Maybe I should run... find a safer place..." His voice was hardly even a sound, yet the creature clearly heard it as it instantly silenced itself. He didn't dare even breathe...

He could hear the creature take slow, sinister steps in his direction. He couldn't breathe out of pure fear. It got closer still, and the water at his feet turned jet black. The mud turned into something that was somehow thicker, tarry, and sucking him downwards; but he hardly even noticed. The creature had found him. With eyes of raging flame, every limb dripping with an unnatural black substance, and blades jutting from its spine with menace. It stared dead at him, completely emotionless, blackness seeping from its claws into the surrounding terrain. He stared back, wide-eyed with terror and hopelessness. A name entered his mind: Tsuchi. Is that was that thing is named? Tsuchi? he thought with confusion. It resembled a ridgeback, but it was anything but. Whatever it was, it wasn't natural, and it was certainly evil. It couldn't be anything else. Yet... when it reached out to offer its hand... he couldn't say no.

The "dragon" pulled him out of the tunnel and sheltered him from the storm under its wing, which in itself was dripping with... something. Soil caved in with a splash behind him, his small shelter collapsing from the movement. The dragon gave off no body heat, if anything, it was taking what little was radiating off of him. Wherever it walked the world was stained black in an eerie liquid, it dripped from everywhere, its wings, its tail, its horns, even its eyes; but especially its claws and mouth. All of this felt so wrong, but it was too late to refuse now. He followed wherever the dragon was taking him, cowering under its wing. After about ten minutes the dragon began to grow frantic. It walked briskly, and kept glancing in every direction, then back down at him. After fifteen, they had reached their destination. An enormous pale cream imperial nearly as big as some of the trees around it sat with his head down, wings folded, allowing himself to get rained on. The imperial, however, didn't look well at all; some sort of purplish black substance seemed to be infecting him, slowly taking over starting with his head. The substance had eyes, so many eyes, and they soon noticed him. He glanced up at the dragon who led him here only to realize it was suddenly gone.

The imperial spoke dismissively toward him, "Leave here while you still can little hatchling. This wretched jungle is no home. It brings only suffering." He felt like this imperial was at least far more normal than the other dragon he was just following, considering it was clearly an actual dragon. Still, he approached cautiously, "I don't have a home otherwise... do you live here?" The imperial twitched his wings and tail irritably, "'Tis my greatest regret, yes. Where did you come from?" He shuffled closer to the imperial, trying to get out of the downpour and warm up, "Greatwyrm's Breach..." The imperial seemed almost glad to hear this, "Ah, I've been there. Modest place... but not bad; unlike here. It's not terribly far, you should still turn back while you have the chance." He seemed very saddened by this, "I... can't. It's not my home anymore, I'm not welcome." The imperial didn't ask about it, which he was glad for, he only made a hmmm sound as if he understood.

The sun began to set shortly after, though the rain didn't let up. The imperial got up and stretched, sending waterfalls down off the surrounding leaves; he spoke wistfully, as if remembering distant memories, "Little one, why don't you come with me for the night. It's been a while since I've had the tiny heartbeat of a hatchling beside me..." He nodded and followed the imperial through a slightly cleared part of the jungle, going deeper and deeper into the maze of vines. It was pitch black below the canopy, but the path was deliberately lit by glowing rocks and crystals, and many species of bioluminescent flora and fauna thrived in the area, no doubt intentionally. The trees were so thick that he could hardly feel the rain anymore, and the the jungle held in a humid warmth which was a great relief after all he'd endured. He felt much safer and calmer here, and finally began to relax. A few more minutes of walking, and the two seemed to reach the clansite. A city of woven branches, soothing scents, and canopy platforms; it was utterly beautiful. As he gawked at the sights, the imperial continued to lead him on. He was too busy looking around to notice clan members glancing nervously at the imperial and hastily distancing themselves.

After reaching what seemed to be the largest building in the clan, another imperial approached, this one a gorgeous black crystal that sparkled even in the darkness. The crystal imperial bowed his head to the white one in greeting and acknowledgment, "Koju, welcome back," he glanced down to the hatchling at the other's side. Koju spoke up, "Shimmer...", his voice was incredibly deep when speaking to this dragon, "Take this hatchling to the doctor to make sure they are well." Koju then turned away, but the many eyes within his strange infection continued to stare. Shimmer dipped his head, "Of course," He looked for a minute at the tiny dragon, "What is your name?" He stuttered for a moment, "I-" But Koju cut him off, "Tsuchi. That is his name." Koju then began to leave. Tsuchi was stunned, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Shimmer swished his tail, "That is a fine name," he said with a genuine grin, "Now, follow me." Dazed, Tsuchi didn't know what else to do but obey.

Shimmer led him to a hollow in a tree that had a sharp, pungent scent, but stopped him before he could enter. With a serious tone, he spoke, "I have an important question for you, Tsuchi. You must answer truthfully," He paused, waiting for answer. Tsuchi nodded his head nervously. Shimmer continued, "Is Koju your father?" Tsuchi was quiet for a minute before saying, "He is now." Shimmer nodded, but then frowned. He left him there, but as he walked away Tsuchi could barely hear him whisper, "He is lost..." Tsuchi felt uneasy thinking about Shimmer's words, an who they might be intended for. He entered the doctor's room gloomily. It was a cozy place full of bottles, powders, and plants of all kinds, but there didn't seem to be anyone inside. "Hello?" Tsuchi called out quietly, and then suddenly something he thought was just some strange plant turned toward him, revealing that they were actually a dragon. They were so covered in foliage and greenery that he couldn't tell at first, but he could see now that this was bogsneak. Her eyes frightened him at bit, they very clearly had flowers literally growing out of them, but they were also strangely beautiful. "Oh, hello there," he said shyly, "are you the doctor?" She tilted her head at him, "No. The doctor is... out. I'm here to check on my familiar." Her tone of voice was strange to him, and she was deliberately blocking whatever ill creature she was visiting. He shuffled his feet, not really sure what to do. The plant covered dragon spoke in a friendly tone, but also one that was quite tired, "This is no place for a little hatchling like you. Better you go elsewhere and play while you wait." Tsuchi agreed and left because he didn't like the uncomfortable feeling that had grasped the room.

Tsuchi tried to find one of the imperials he had met prior, but quickly found out how huge the clan was. Even trying to find gigantic imperials was going to be difficult in the complexly organized jungle. He wandered around, encountering dragons of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and becoming a bit more acquainted with the surroundings. His clanmates were nice enough and happy for a little chat. He figured out that there were different divisions in the forest depending on your rank, with the highest trees for the most prestigious and respected dragons. He could also tell just by the looking for the bright colors and smelling the delicious food where all the shops and restaurants in the clan were. After a while, though, he grew tired. He assumed it must be nighttime by now, but he couldn't exactly tell because hardly any light made it through the canopy of leaves above him to begin with. The heart of the Shrieking Wilds was certainly an interesting place to live... He yawned, and in a moment Koju was suddenly in front of him, a dozen eyes boring down. Tsuchi let out a little yelp of surprise, amazed by how he seemed to appear out of nowhere, but calmed down quickly. Koju waited a moment for Tsuchi to collect himself before talking, "Hello again, little one. It's time for bed, so you shall follow me and I will take you to where you'll be staying." It's almost like he can read my mind, Tsuchi thought with childlike pondering as he followed Koju.

Tsuchi became a bit scared as Koju led him to a very dark place away from the clan's lights and buildings. Upon reaching a particularly wet and decrepit stretch of forest, Koju settled down cozily to rest. Tsuchi looked around with an almost pleading expression, "Is there were everyone sleeps? I was expecting something... different..." He took cautious steps into the mud. Koju grumbled slightly, "What exactly were you expecting?" Tsuchi was a little afraid that maybe he was being offensive, but answered anyway, "Something... better. At least protected from the outside," he shook a bit of water off his paw, "...and dry." Koju opened his golden eyes and peered around, "I... I never realized," He sounded surprised and confused, "How did I get here?" He muttered. Tsuchi tried to make himself more comfortable, but Koju urged him away, "No, no, I will find you a proper place... I have no idea how we ended up here..." He trailed off, and then regained his confidence, "Come here, I will fly you to the treetops of the clan." Tsuchi had never flown before. He was both nervous and excited about the experience, but as it turns out, he fell asleep almost as soon as Koju picked him up. WIP