Marlaisos

https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3096302/1

Marlaisos had always been a disappointment to her father. She didn’t know how exactly—all she knew was that from the moment of her hatching, he had regarded her as an utter failure.

She tried to make up for it, of course. Growing up, she tried her hand at various jobs, hoping to learn skills or discover inborn talents that would turn her into something more.

She first attempted working alongside the gatherers of the clan. Sorting plants seemed simple enough, especially with clanmates to guide her. But young Marlaisos was clumsy, and she often wound up scattering produce across the floor. She was no more adept at handling seafood and meat, visibly cringing whenever she had to chop them into bits. She fared badly on gathering trips too, often blundering into mishaps and needing to be aided by her companions. The gatherers, disgruntled, muttered that she ought to try something else.

By then, Marlaisos was nearly grown—and also fully aware that her clan viewed her only as a liability. It was time to move on.

She tried to put a positive spin on things—New clans, new work!—as she said her goodbyes. There were halfhearted suggestions that she visit, but neither side was fooled—she had no intention of coming back here, and they preferred it that way.

Marlaisos’ optimism eroded as her travels went on. She’d had a rough start in life, and she wasn’t sure how to connect with other dragons. Desperate to prove herself, she often talked over them, describing the various jobs she’d had, even embellishing to make herself sound more competent.

It didn’t work as she’d hoped. She came across as a needy braggart, and most folks shied away from her. Worse yet, there were those who took advantage of her loneliness. Once they had what they wanted from her, be it money or favors, they took off, leaving her even lonelier than before.

But Marlaisos hadn’t come this far to be pushed around. She brushed herself off and moved on. Gradually she learned not to overshare about herself, how to navigate the back-and-forth of polite conversation. She found herself interested in other dragons’ stories, asking questions about them, listening to them.

And, one day, she realized what she wanted to do.

It was some more years before she had enough money and skill to go into her chosen profession, but she did it. She found another Light clan that was willing to take her in, and there, she opened a tavern.

The clan Marlaisos still lives in is an odd one. It isn’t always safe—strange events sometimes occur and dragons go missing. Running a tavern presents its own set of challenges, too: belligerent customers, meager profits, competing establishments...

But Marlaisos persists, as she always does. Even if her tavern isn’t luxurious, it gets frequent visitors. She lets them know they are welcome, serves them with a cheerful smile, and listens with genuine interest as they tell her their stories.

Here, at least, she is happy.

~ written by Disillusionist (254672)
all edits by other users


Basic > Python, Paisley, Underbelly (Mar 28, 24)