Windmill

This gloomy morning, you are approached by the Caravan's blacksmith and glassbower, Cynder. You recognize your own clan's kin with ease, but with her is an unfamiliar Banescale...

"Mother Ruin," Cynder happily growls, her massive tail swaying from side to side as she picks up her speed. After making her way to you, she dips her head out of respect and discreetly bats the side of her company's hind leg with her tail, silently encouraging them to do the same. The other Banescale lets out an awkward "beep" sound and clumsily bows.

"It's so lovely to see you again," Cynder continues, raising her head in unison with the other dragon. "I've been itching to come pay you and my parents a visit, but I felt it wasn't right unless I brought my proudest works with me as a gift and a thank you for giving me two loving clans to call my own. Now, these pieces aren't much, but I feel as if I've perfected my craftsmanship... Please accept this array of training gear for your next conquests and heated battles. It's the least I could do for both of my families."

A few moments pass in silence before Cynder clears her throat, glancing over at the dragon she'd brought along with her.

"Um, Def...? Love?"

The other dragon blinks idly, their thoughts visibly settling back into their crimson eyes. Their serene yet raspy voice almost seems to rumble through the air, reminding you of the heatwaves wavering upon desert sands. It is much more... feminine... than you had anticipated.

"O-Oh, right! I'm sorry, miss Ruin. I'm just a bit nervous to meet Cynder's original clanmates, is all," She chuckles anxiously. "Here's the package." A hefty burlap sack is brought out from below her left wing, announcing its arrival to the ground with a loud and dusty thud. A collection of golden beads, jewels, and chimes clank together in sweet harmony as the Banescale moves back into a more comfortable position, her wings stretching out the strain from their recent flight.

"No need to be so worried, sweetwing," Cynder purrs, her intimidating demeanor melting with a gentle smile. "They're just as much family as the Wanderers. Ruin, this is my mate, Defiance. She's the caravan's most recent addition of security."

"Well, I'm not so sure about that," Defiance laughs. "My duty is to cover up the tracks of the caravan. I'm more or less a duster, you know? Staying back behind everyone else, sweeping up their trails with my tail..."

"It's still an incredibly important task," Cynder reminds her. The shaking of her head tells you this is not the first time they've had this small altercation. "With all of these recent issues we've had with thieves on the road, your duty may be one of the most vital to our safety, let alone the safety of our wares."

"I suppose," the other sighs with a smile, not really wanting to argue the point in front of her new acquaintance. "Anywho, Cynder's smithing has gotten to be most impressive lately, so I hope these fare your clanmates well. We've brought one of our clan's recent eggs as well... The poor thing never did hatch, but perhaps you can find some use for it in time."

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(click the sack above to view its contents!)

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Cynder walks over to the burlap sack, nudging it gently with her snout. "Ah, one second, before we head off... I've smithed some armor for my parents, specific to their measurements. If you don't mind, Ruin, I believe Defiance and I will present the gifts to them ourselves." You almost don't catch it, but you can spot a smirk grow across Cynder's face, a sinister foil to the gradual fear that is slowly settling onto Defiance's expression.

"W-Wait, that wasn't part of the deal-"

"C'mon, what better time than now?" Cynder laughs, playfully jabbing her shoulder into her mate's. "They'll love you."

"Cyn, I play with dirt for a living. You create armor, augment stones, beautiful glass pieces, I-I..." Her voice trails off in an anxious hush.

A low rumble emits from Cynder's throat, her purring loud enough to jingle the metal hanging along her body. She steps closer to her mate and silences her with a single boop, their snouts breathing the same warm air.

"Relax," She speaks calmly. "I wouldn't be introducing you to my parents if I wasn't proud of you and what you do. You're my pride, Def. There is no shame in loving you, only pleasure and privilege."

After a few moments, Defiance seems to ease her body's tension, her expression and stance softening into a more relaxed position. She glances back over at you with a slightly embarrassed dart of the eyes, taking a small step backwards from her mate.

"A-Ah, sorry to take up all your time with this," She chuckles, her tail swooping over her talons shyly. "We'll be on our way to visit Cynder's parents, now..."

They pick up a piece of Banescalean armor each and turn around, walking almost perfectly in sync, shoulders grazing. You spot Defiance silently intertwining her tail with Cynder's as they disappear further into your territory.