Inesperado

Bastion was an archivist for the Firelily Laboratory, a prestigious institution that studied the secrets of magic and nature. He had a passion for organizing and preserving information, and he had spent years cataloging and analyzing the vast collection of books, scrolls, artifacts, and specimens that the laboratory had acquired. He was also a mentor to Inesperado, a young dragon who worked in the library of a distant clan.

Inesperado had done well in his clan's library working under the Archivist, Zestofereaux, but he lacked the formal education and the skills to make his job easier. Coming in as a temporary hire, he learned as much as he could from the books he borrowed from the library and observing his coworkers, but felt frustrated at his own lack of improvement. So when he saw the internship from Firelily Laboratory on the bulletin board in the lunchroom, he jumped at the chance.

Bastion could see from Inesperado's application that the young dragon had a keen mind and a curious spirit, and he was fascinated by the mysteries of the world; in fact, all the raw materials for the making of a great archivist. He offered to take him as his apprentice, and Inesperado eagerly accepted. He took a leave of absence and relocated to the Firelily Laboratory, where he began to learn from Bastion and assist him with his work.

Bastion taught Inesperado everything he knew about archiving: how to classify, sort, store, and retrieve information; how to use different tools and methods to preserve and restore documents; how to decipher and translate obscure languages and codes; how to identify and date historical sources; how to evaluate and verify the accuracy and reliability of information; how to synthesize and summarize data; how to create indexes, catalogs, and databases; how to access and use the laboratory’s archives; and how to follow the ethical principles and professional standards of archiving.

Inesperado was a quick learner, and he soon proved himself to be a valuable assistant to Bastion. He helped him with his daily tasks, such as sorting new arrivals, checking for damages, making copies, updating records, answering inquiries, and conducting research. He also helped him with his special projects, such as restoring an ancient scroll that contained a lost spell, deciphering a coded message that revealed a hidden conspiracy, or discovering a new connection between two seemingly unrelated artifacts.

Bastion was proud of Inesperado’s progress, and he treated him like he would his children. He encouraged him to pursue his own interests and questions, and he supported him in his endeavors. He also shared with him his personal stories and insights, his hopes and fears, his joys and sorrows. He became more than just a teacher to Inesperado; he became a friend.

Inesperado was grateful for Bastion’s guidance and friendship, and he admired him greatly. He wanted to be like him someday: a respected archivist who contributed to the advancement of knowledge and the preservation of history. He also wanted to make him happy: by doing his best in his work, by fulfilling his expectations, by sharing his passions. He loved him like a father.

They were happy together: Bastion and Inesperado, the archivist and his apprentice. They worked together in harmony, and when it came time for him to return to his clan, Bastion gave him a heartfelt goodbye telling him to never forget his teaching and said to write any time.

The Clan Archivist finally found Inesperado in the stacks and kicked him out.


"Go down to Cliffside Cove and get some sun...you're starting to fade!"

So he wandered down to the cove. It was very nice, but rather...empty. (All of Sunset's descendants were away at the family reunion). Since he was banished from the Archives for at least a week, he wandered up to Pan's Brewpub, where the seasonal Bacchanaal was in full swing.

Now THIS was a party! Everyone was in costume and the celebrations were free-wheeling and...well, free! Inesperado found a costume in the coat closet and joined in the fun. The honeymeade was excellent and Inesperado was soon approached by a lovely fiery-costumed Pearlcatcher. He wondered at first if it was Peridot, the Pearlcatcher who had welcomed him into the clan months ago, but it was impossible to tell. He gleaned from her advances that a main activity at the Bacchanaal was random nesting to honor the Windsinger. Fair enough. When in Rome...

A week later Inesperado returned to the Cove with Illuvia (it had NOT been Peridot, after all). It was a bit of a shock when Sunset's descendants all returned and, as introductions were made, it was a bigger shock for them to realize that Inesperado was actually a 4th Gen descendant!

He felt bad about missing the family reunion, but even worse that his own offspring didn't know their lineage.

"Oh, not to worry, I will help you find them; I have time" Illuvia offered helpfully. She ran the knitting store at the Crossroads, but could basically determine her own schedule. "How hard could it be? You've only been here since...? August, is it? Oh. Hmmm..."

Inesperado was brought in by Makani as an emergency hire because honestly Makani was tired of hearing Tythus complain about all the paperwork. The poor little Fae has had his nose to the grindstone ever since. It was supposed to be a temporary job, but his end date came and went and no one noticed...

Life in the archives was not all dust and quills for Inesperado. In fact, the cool walls of the deep caverns allowed him to escape the worst of the summer heat. Word got out there was a new member of the clan and dragons began stopping by with snacks for a casual Meet & Greet.

Eventually, Peridot stopped in on the thin excuse that she forgot to file some paperwork (she's a juggler in the Circus; small chance she deals with paperwork in any way, shape, or form). Her intentions soon became clear; it seems clan tradition often included a clan dragon welcoming a new addition with a nest to solicit the blessing of the Windsinger. Peridot had come to the archives out of curiosity and liked what she saw. Welcome to the Clan!