August

One of the best ways to describe August is sweet. Softspoken but with a strong sense for business and money management, she runs her own chocolate shop in the main square of her home city, and loves to bring joy to her customers however she can- whether with a nice comment, a friendly smile, or a delectable chocolate confection. She's always trying to look on the bright side, but she doesn't have trouble admitting when things are going badly, in which case she tries to do something about it if she can. She's a good problem solver, cares about the dragons around her, and always does her best, even if she's feeling down.

She's far from timid, and likes to try new things and experiment (especially with baking.) She likes to use her many wings to hold baking tools as she's moving about the kitchen. Chocolate is her strong suit, but she can cook almost anything and make it turn out delicious. She's very organized, in and out of her kitchen, and likes things to be in order and in the most efficient setup possible so that everything goes smoothly.

If you cross the ones she loves, you'd best be looking over your shoulder - constantly- because she's coming for you (most likely wielding a wooden spatula with her teeth bared!) Her gecko, Peridot, and her are nearly inseparable. Peridot helps out in the kitchen by levitating tools and supplies into her reach (and whipping up icing!)

She is Susurri's mate.

Familiar: Peridot. He likes to hang out under and on her wings. He assists her with baking (he really likes to make caramel and icing.) He can also levitate himself & small items into the air!

--- august

August was late.

She huffed as she clambered over a giant sand dune, flakes of grit irritating her scales and getting in her eyes. She shook her head, flinging bits of grime every which way as she crested the dune --- and promptly collapsed in relief as she saw the giant ship before her. Finally. It had only been HOURS. With a groan, she rolled over onto her back, her multitudes of little wings bending every which way. She couldn't wait for a bath. She hated sand. It was so... unorganized. It got everywhere. Everywhere.

The sky was clear, a deep cerulean blue that reminded her of the ocean - and Suri's eyes. She hoped he was doing alright without her. Hopefully, if luck was on her side, this would just be a nice little vacation - a chance to spread the word of her growing chocolate shop back at home, a way to ease the tension that had been building and building between her shoulder blades, and to meet new dragons. Especially to meet new dragons. She loved new faces almost as much as she despised sand.

She felt something wriggle under one of her wings. Shifting a little, she craned her long neck to see Peridot, blinking up at her, his little eyes shining. "Ugh. Puppy dog eyes. How are they so persuasive on a GECKO? Alright. I'll get up. We're almost there."

Extending a hand, she let Peridot climb up her arm, his delicate frills brushing along her scales. He clambered upwards, his little body wriggling, finally settling beneath one of the wings tucked just beside her temple. "Ready?" She asked, a small smile itching at the corners of her mouth. He squeaked in affirmation. She grinned. “Alright. Here we go.”

Rolling up from her back, she groaned her way to her feet, her sore muscles protesting with every movement. Shouldering her small pack of traveling and cooking supplies and angling her head downwards, she studied the entrance of the Inn for a moment, looking over the guests who had already arrived (or were in the process of arriving.) An interesting bunch. Especially the giant turtle meandering outside — and was that a house strapped to its back? A fae-sized house. VERY interesting. Lovely living quarters. What a statement! She wondered if she could tempt the owner of the house to tell her its measurements, because she was suddenly getting an intense, itching desire to make a chocolate mini of the turtle and his cargo. What would she name the piece? Hmm. Probably, ‘House.’ Perfect.

With this cheerful thought in her mind, she started down the dune, slipping and sliding, flittering her wings to keep her balance as she descended. She let out a pffyt as she reached the bottom, spitting sand from between her teeth, wiggling her frills in distaste. Chocolate house later. Bath first.

Ambling up to the entrance, she observed for a moment before sliding in, glancing around as she did so. She grinned at the sight of the little guardian plushie atop the cube of ice, raised an eyebrow at a glamorous and very outspoken fae - probably the owner of the House - and, wow, there were a LOT of faes. This would be fun. As she scanned, her eyes passed over a beautifully starry fae sitting by the reception desk, a Jewelry Box fae (ooh! Shiny!) ANOTHER fae, this one monochrome (she approved. She had a weak spot for monochrome,...)

….And, Madel. The one she was looking for. As she started forward, she felt a momentary, unnatural chill, and shivered a little, pulling her wings closer. Heck of an air conditioning. Walking calmly and competently through the chaos, she approached Madel. “Hi, I’m August - ooh, coming through, coming through!” She tucked her wings, ducking and hopping over stray tails, her pack of supplies tinkling cheerfully. “Oh, what a delightful outfit - excuse me!” She smiled up at Madel, who was currently facing the glamorous fae (owner of the House, definitely.) “May I book a room please?" The wildclaw turned, smiling a welcome. "Sure! Just sign in at the front desk. I'll lead you to your rooms shortly." (using Madel as an NPC like @/Magmish mentioned in the discord, hope its okay asfdsfdsasfd)

August grinned. "Thanks!" As she turned, she caught another glance of the fae Madel had been talking to. She hadn't caught his name, but he looked kind of familiar... she'd talk to him later. In the meantime, she had decided a bath could wait: the allure of meeting new dragons was irresistible. She headed over to the Jewerly Box fae first, curious about his book that was currently.. writing itself? How intriguing! She reached him, a warm and friendly smile lighting up her face. "Hi! I'm August, nice to meet you!"

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/366#post_55177749

Florence felt his upper frills perk up at the words free, while his lower frills seemed to curl inwards. He didn't like free, it meant nothing was keeping the other from going back on their word. But, as much as he loathed to admit it, he didn't have many other options. He did have some money squirreled away, but it wouldn't be able to pay for his, and especially not House's food, much less housing for his turtle companion. Sighing deeply, a sound very unfitted for a tiny Fae with it's volume, before continuing "I suppose that would do. Any rooms for an Imperial would be enough for my companion and I, so fitting as long as they're close to the ground level."

Without waiting for Madel's response, he blustered on "Oh, and we both need the highest level of catering. Food fit for an Imperial, if you will."

Suddenly though, Florence heard the unflashy Fae start talking again, even catching Florence's eye as he did. Greeting anther one in the room? And what had he said, something about the life beyond? Hmph, at least the other guests so far seemed interesting. Especially if what he had implied meant this Inn was haunted. Catching the other's eye again, for a second, intrigued, Florence broke eye contact to continue his one-sided conversation with Madel, content to question the mysterious Fae another time.

"So, as I was saying, a key for a room like that would be most appreciated". Madel looked vaguely like she had swallowed a lemon, but relented and handed over the key, before giving him instructions on how to find an easy to access, large, Imperial sized den. Florence huffed, but not before looking back at the room occupants. The two oddballs, the interesting Fae and the odd Skydancer, were conversing brightly, despite the obvious avoiding said Skydancer was doing to every other occupant. Though as his eyes continued through the room, they landed on a bright, pastel Fae. He narrowed his eyes, and felt his frills flatten as it finally clicked who it was.

That was August, his little sister.

The one he had left behind, after his two siblings had refused to support him.

With a flurry, he left at a record speed, for once the slightest bit of hysteria making it into his movements. Flying down to House, he simply tapped their head, waking them up from their pseudo-slumber as they ambled to a start. He mumbled something, and gestured to a large door lower down, and House started to make their move. Florence, atop their head, mumbled darkly about 'the eleven forbid SHE'S here...' and 'of course, of course this is my luck!', and at a much lesser amount '...I wonder if she'd even forgive me'. House seemed mildly concerned, but content to let their companion rant his heart out.

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/366#post_55178431

--- august @SunSprite

Before she could continue her conversation with Baltin, a flurry of movement caught the corner of her eye. Turning slightly, she spotted the flamboyant fae from earlier fleeing hurriedly out of the doors, his tailcoat trailing behind him. She squinted contemplatively, something niggling at the back of her mind. The way he moved - specifically, the way he managed to move his wings while he was flying as if he was stomping away -...

There was no way. Seriously? Nah. It couldn’t be.

She had to see.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she turned back to Baltin. “Ah… excuse me, my deepest apologies. There’s- something I have to attend to. I’ll be back in a jiffy! So sorry! Excuse me!”

Moving away hurriedly towards the door, she once again hopped and dodged around stray tails and wings before reaching the opening. The fae had disappeared inside of the house strapped to the back of the giant turtle. She scrunched her nose, wondering if she was wrong, wanting to turn around and go inside, out of the heat - but her curiosity wouldn’t let her alone, and she started walking towards the giant turtle.

“On second thought,” she muttered, stopping and unstrapping her pack from her shoulders. She dug out her trusty spatula, wielding it in a firm grip as she zipped her bag back up. If he was who she thought she was, she might need it. For defense. (Or offense.)

She felt Peridot shift under her temple wing, his tail flopping out to drift over her nose. “Peridot, be prepared. You might need to throw something for me. Or not. But maybe. Alright? Let’s be mature here. But still be prepared.” The little gecko let out a combination of a hiccup and a giggle, tapping his tail against her nose in confirmation.

As she reached the foot of the turtle, she lifted into the air, her wings straining as she drew herself straight up. As she reached the top, she landed at the door of the magnificent house, adjusting the grip of the spatula in her hand. She reached out to knock, but before she did, she heard a voice coming from inside. She froze, talons inches away from the door, as it registered in her head.

No.

His voice was muffled, but there was no mistaking who it was. She heard him ranting through the door, his words floating through in muffled bursts: “...luck! Curse! Gah! HER!”

She bared her teeth, her frills pinning themselves to her skull. Peridot whimpered. All thoughts of maturity fled from her mind as she gripped the door, throwing it open with a slam.

”FLOOOOOORENCEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/367#post_55178816

Florence flinched back, the heavy thunk of the wood reverberating across his house as he made eye contact with her. August stood in the doorway, in all of her enraged sibling glory. For a moment, Florence felt striking anger at her for purely denting the walls, before her yell clicked in his mind. "HEY!" He screeched in response, "Don't you dare yell at ME, after you barged into my house!" he did not like the look of the spatula in her hand.

"Even then, what are you even DOING here?!?!?! I thought you are Darozh were the ones to refuse to follow me!!!"

For all his bluster, he was intentionally tiptoeing backwards, avoiding August's wrath and instead misdirecting it back towards her.

"AND ANOTHER THING!!!! I-"

He took this opportunity to jump out of the nearest window.

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/367#post_55179136

Darozh nodded in understanding at the fae's request.

"Very well, I trust you are the resilient type, an admirable trait to be sure! Particularly so in such a harsh environment as this."

With that, the little wagon was lifted off the ground as he took flight towards the unique inn in the distance. Darozh took care not to outpace the fae, and decided he could make conversation.

"I do not believe I have introduced myself to you, my name is Darozh, and I am a paladin of Lucendi Tempestas. It is a great kingdom in the shifting expanse, ruled by an even greater king. But of course, my duty to kingdom is only second to my duty to The Eleven. I've studied the history of our great deities from times as far back as the first age, though regrettably little is known so far back. This is partially why I am here, you see this overturned ship is quite ancient. On the surface of it, it simply seems old, but according to records this could be the remains of something much greater. Something far older than most Earth Flight relics, it's truly fascinating, and I intend to study every corner!"

Darozh smiled, mostly to himself, now completely carried away in speech.

"Of course, I might not have found this place if not for the letter given to me by my sister. It's been a long while since I've seen either of my siblings, this reunion is a welcome one, my memories of our childhood are faint."

Darozh, still flying forward, became a bit lost in thought. He reminisced about his younger siblings, how he always made sure to play gentle with them being so much smaller. His brother Florence would enjoy drawing houses and castles, while his sister would often make a mess in the kitchen that mother had made them all clean up. Knowing now that they had both grown in to such prosperous professionals in their fields, Darozh was happy that they had all been blessed by The Eleven with such purpose.
Suddenly, a fae leaping out of a window snapped the obelisk out of his reverie, he turned to the little fae whom he had been helping.

"I apologize, I do believe I had gotten carried away in conversation. Simply point me wherever you would like your belongings placed."

(After helping Aranaea Darozh heads over to Florence)

"The Eleven see you fae! I trust you did not hurt yourself in that fa-... Brother?!"

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/367#post_55179204

--- august

"FLORENCE! YOU! You...! YOU! GET BACK HERE! DID YOU REALLY JUST JUMP OUT OF YOUR WINDOW?!"

August sputtered indignantly as she scurried over to the window, shard of broken glass crunching under her feet. She craned her long neck down through the opening, glaring at Florence's groaning form on the ground below.

"I! HOPE! YOU! SWALLOWED! SAND! FLORENCE!" She shouted down at him, each word punctuated with a wave of her spatula. "AND I'M NOT! PAYING! FOR! THIS! WINDOW! OR MAKING! YOU! ANY! CHOCOLATE!"

The gravest insult possible, she thought with a grim smile. She would make him SUFFER. NO CHOCOLATE FOR FLORENCE.

With this delightful thought in mind, she dove out of the window, twisting her body so she fit lithely between the broken shards of glass. She plummeted downward before pulling up just in time, landing with her feet planted on Florence's chest. She glared down at him, about to speak, when she heard another voice.

Oh my Stormcatcher. You have GOT to be kidding me...

She looked up just in time to see Darozh, his features etched in surprise, as he exclaimed, "...Brother?!"

She groaned. "They're BOTH here... hello, Darozh..."

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/2548744/367#post_55181003