Creative Corner

71. “Rules are there to be broken!”
35. Describe the first time your clan had interaction with a neighboring clan.
46. Describe a typical day for your Coliseum trainer(s).
1. Describe a dragon’s reaction to getting rejected.

3860

February 13, 2021 08:37:29

So, today I stumbled upon this amazing resource of lore-building prompts! Special thanks to Windstrike for making these prompts. You can find the original thread where she provides them here. Check it out for the full list!

Now that thread outlines these prompts as a challenge to write at least 500 words as a response, which I will stick to. How quickly will I get through these? Who knows. Will I get to all of them? I hope so.

I will be using random.org to choose which one to do whenever I start on one of these.

Also, special thanks to osiem for their free to use assets I'm using as dividers in this thread. You can find said assets and more here.

Directory wrote:

Last edited on Feb 25, 2021 10:53:42 by VenaCava

[center][size=6][b]71. “Rules are there to be broken!”[/b][/size][/center] [center]Or "Let's conspicuously plot a tyrant's death."[/center] [right]Word count: 509[/right] [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c4m9i4zeyzsml3r/plaguer.png[/img][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9hzqkjw9hb129l6/lightningl.png[/img][/center] Out in the Wasteland two dragons sit perched in a withering tree. The bone-like plant looks like it can’t hold them, but it is like many things in the Plaguelands: stronger than it appears. Its might matches those who sit upon it. They don’t look like much, but their day will come. And soon. The two dragons face the setting sun. The smog overhead tinges the sky a brilliant orange as they look to the planet’s closest star. A [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/10654770]Wildclaw [/url]coated in feathers and hiding his face behind a thick mask is perched closer to the edge of the thick branch. His feathers hide just how thin he is. Beneath all the clothing and natural fluff he looks aged and sickly despite being fairly young. Beside him sits a [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/8309596]Pearlcatcher [/url]whose hide shines in the slowly fading light. His face hidden in much the same way as his friend’s. Skeletal markings litter his body, glowing the same orange as the sky. “Goodbye to this day. Another in countless painful memories.” The Wildclaw mutters, gazing into the light through thick darkly tinted lenses. “How much longer? When will that wretched thing drop dead?” The Pearlcatcher remains silent. Thinking. “It’s been too long. I don’t know how much longer I can go, keeping us all from falling apart. The evil must be slain if we are to be us again.” “I don’t even remember what us feels like.” “I do.” The Pearlcatcher turns to look to his dearest friend through thick goggles. “You were happy. So was I. We were but a humble band of nomads just trying to make our way out here. That monster tricked us, corrupted us. Give it time. Maybe the old days will come back to you.” The Wildclaw does not turn. He keeps looking forward. “Every time I see him or his buddies there’s this seething rage. No one else makes me feel that way. I want to make him feel all the pain he’s caused me. Caused us.” “The evil must be slain.” The Pearlcatcher repeats, turning his gaze back to the sun. “The evil must be slain.” The Wildclaw echoes, catching on. The idea had crossed his mind many times, but now. Now he knows he must make it happen. There is no other way. The way of the Wasteland. Only the strong survive. He laughs, tail lashing and causing the branch to sway. “As dawn approaches upon the new day, dawn approaches upon a new era. An era of healing.” He reaches up, unclasping the buckles holding the leather mask to his face. As he pulls it away, his dearest friend sees his face, a rare occurrence to be treasured and remembered. His muzzle is pale, having very rarely seen the light. His skin clings to his skull and his eyes are framed in dark circles. The Pearlcatcher lifts off his mask as well, showing respect for the gesture. “The wound has festered long enough. We must amputate before it does any more damage. Come sunrise tomorrow, the evil will be slain.”

VenaCava

3860

February 14, 2021 23:36:06

71. “Rules are there to be broken!”

Or "Let's conspicuously plot a tyrant's death."

Word count: 509

Out in the Wasteland two dragons sit perched in a withering tree. The bone-like plant looks like it can’t hold them, but it is like many things in the Plaguelands: stronger than it appears. Its might matches those who sit upon it. They don’t look like much, but their day will come. And soon.

The two dragons face the setting sun. The smog overhead tinges the sky a brilliant orange as they look to the planet’s closest star.

A Wildclaw coated in feathers and hiding his face behind a thick mask is perched closer to the edge of the thick branch. His feathers hide just how thin he is. Beneath all the clothing and natural fluff he looks aged and sickly despite being fairly young. Beside him sits a Pearlcatcher whose hide shines in the slowly fading light. His face hidden in much the same way as his friend’s. Skeletal markings litter his body, glowing the same orange as the sky.

“Goodbye to this day. Another in countless painful memories.” The Wildclaw mutters, gazing into the light through thick darkly tinted lenses. “How much longer? When will that wretched thing drop dead?”

The Pearlcatcher remains silent. Thinking. “It’s been too long. I don’t know how much longer I can go, keeping us all from falling apart. The evil must be slain if we are to be us again.”

“I don’t even remember what us feels like.”

“I do.” The Pearlcatcher turns to look to his dearest friend through thick goggles. “You were happy. So was I. We were but a humble band of nomads just trying to make our way out here. That monster tricked us, corrupted us. Give it time. Maybe the old days will come back to you.”

The Wildclaw does not turn. He keeps looking forward. “Every time I see him or his buddies there’s this seething rage. No one else makes me feel that way. I want to make him feel all the pain he’s caused me. Caused us.”

“The evil must be slain.” The Pearlcatcher repeats, turning his gaze back to the sun.

“The evil must be slain.” The Wildclaw echoes, catching on. The idea had crossed his mind many times, but now. Now he knows he must make it happen. There is no other way. The way of the Wasteland. Only the strong survive.

He laughs, tail lashing and causing the branch to sway. “As dawn approaches upon the new day, dawn approaches upon a new era. An era of healing.” He reaches up, unclasping the buckles holding the leather mask to his face.

As he pulls it away, his dearest friend sees his face, a rare occurrence to be treasured and remembered. His muzzle is pale, having very rarely seen the light. His skin clings to his skull and his eyes are framed in dark circles.

The Pearlcatcher lifts off his mask as well, showing respect for the gesture.

“The wound has festered long enough. We must amputate before it does any more damage. Come sunrise tomorrow, the evil will be slain.”

[center][b][size=5]35. Describe the first time your clan had interaction with a neighboring clan.[/size][/b] Or "*Hisssss*"[/center] [right]Word count: 696[/right] [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c4m9i4zeyzsml3r/plaguer.png[/img][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9hzqkjw9hb129l6/lightningl.png[/img][/center] A cry rang out in the night, causing a [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/7137515]Wildclaw [/url]with bright gems growing in small bunches upon her to wake up. She knew the sound, having always lived in the Plaguelands. It was Mirrors, a pack of them coming towards the camp. It had happened before. Mirrors would rush through traveling much like she and her newfound friends did, following herds and picking up resources. Though the instances in the past were uneventful. The packs they’d seen before passed by within view, but steered clear of their little 5-dragon campsite. Still, they were always weary whenever a pack was nearby. She nudged awake her mate who shared the tiny shelter with her. The dark [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6921456]Coatl [/url]huddled against her slowly opened his eyes as she hissed. “Mirrors. We may need to defend ourselves.” She stepped out of the shelter, which was little more than thin fabric strung up on some branches. The camp only consisted of 4 of these makeshift tents and a small fire which glowed in the night, providing heat. They were survivors, a newly formed group only concerned with making it in the harsh environment. Despite the darkness she could see them. On the horizon, a pack of roughly 20 Mirrors were running towards them, migrating in search of a new hunting spot. Though the camp was tiny and consisted of only 5 dragons, they would not yield to the pack if it came to that. They would defend the little patch of land they were planning to occupy for the next few days. She stood before the dying fire, hissing quietly. It wasn’t a challenge, it was a warning. As she stood her ground, her mate slithered between the other shelters, waking the other 3. Soon the pack was upon them. They didn’t pass by like the others they’d seen, they kept coming towards the camp. She hissed louder as they got too close. At least, what she considered to be too close. Hissing arose from the Mirrors as well. The camp was in their way. She and the other 4 would stand their ground. She gestured to her side, encouraging them to go around. Most of the pack heeded this and turned to run around the campsite. But a couple didn’t and sought out the meager food store. At first, she just watched, not wanting to start a fight. She didn’t like them coming in, but if they weren’t aggressive and just passed through, she would leave them alone. But they didn’t and followed the scent and heat signatures to the box containing the food. Another [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6898796]Wildclaw [/url]guarded it, hissing loudly and flaring his wings. She chased the two Mirrors when she noticed them going for the food. The hissing and posturing from both parties was intense, but it was clear neither wanted to actually attack the other. The two Mirrors, upon realizing they wouldn’t get what they wanted without a fight, yielded and ran off to catch up with the rest of the pack. Just as they were about to go back into their shelters to go back to sleep, the Coatl spotted another Mirror trudging along the path the pack had just taken. It was clear this one was unable to keep up. The Coatl approached the weak Mirror and chirped a greeting. The other 4 watched from the campsite as the Coatl extended a wing over the Mirror and led them back. They were limping and tired and explained how they’d been struggling to follow the pack. They accepted the offer to stay in the camp and did so for the next couple days, only asking for food and shelter only when the weather was bad. Once they could run again, they felt the urge to rejoin the hunt, but also wanted to repay the 5 dragons who’d offered them help for nothing in return. The Mirror hunted alongside them for several more days, helping them bring in more food and only eating as needed. They helped move the camp to another part of the Boneyard and when another pack came running by, they thanked the 5 dragons one last time before running off to rejoin the hunt.

VenaCava

3860

February 16, 2021 20:54:22

35. Describe the first time your clan had interaction with a neighboring clan.

Or "*Hisssss*"

Word count: 696

A cry rang out in the night, causing a Wildclaw with bright gems growing in small bunches upon her to wake up. She knew the sound, having always lived in the Plaguelands. It was Mirrors, a pack of them coming towards the camp. It had happened before. Mirrors would rush through traveling much like she and her newfound friends did, following herds and picking up resources. Though the instances in the past were uneventful. The packs they’d seen before passed by within view, but steered clear of their little 5-dragon campsite. Still, they were always weary whenever a pack was nearby.

She nudged awake her mate who shared the tiny shelter with her. The dark Coatl huddled against her slowly opened his eyes as she hissed. “Mirrors. We may need to defend ourselves.” She stepped out of the shelter, which was little more than thin fabric strung up on some branches. The camp only consisted of 4 of these makeshift tents and a small fire which glowed in the night, providing heat. They were survivors, a newly formed group only concerned with making it in the harsh environment.

Despite the darkness she could see them. On the horizon, a pack of roughly 20 Mirrors were running towards them, migrating in search of a new hunting spot. Though the camp was tiny and consisted of only 5 dragons, they would not yield to the pack if it came to that. They would defend the little patch of land they were planning to occupy for the next few days.

She stood before the dying fire, hissing quietly. It wasn’t a challenge, it was a warning. As she stood her ground, her mate slithered between the other shelters, waking the other 3.

Soon the pack was upon them. They didn’t pass by like the others they’d seen, they kept coming towards the camp. She hissed louder as they got too close. At least, what she considered to be too close.

Hissing arose from the Mirrors as well. The camp was in their way. She and the other 4 would stand their ground. She gestured to her side, encouraging them to go around. Most of the pack heeded this and turned to run around the campsite. But a couple didn’t and sought out the meager food store. At first, she just watched, not wanting to start a fight. She didn’t like them coming in, but if they weren’t aggressive and just passed through, she would leave them alone. But they didn’t and followed the scent and heat signatures to the box containing the food.

Another Wildclaw guarded it, hissing loudly and flaring his wings. She chased the two Mirrors when she noticed them going for the food. The hissing and posturing from both parties was intense, but it was clear neither wanted to actually attack the other. The two Mirrors, upon realizing they wouldn’t get what they wanted without a fight, yielded and ran off to catch up with the rest of the pack.

Just as they were about to go back into their shelters to go back to sleep, the Coatl spotted another Mirror trudging along the path the pack had just taken. It was clear this one was unable to keep up. The Coatl approached the weak Mirror and chirped a greeting. The other 4 watched from the campsite as the Coatl extended a wing over the Mirror and led them back.

They were limping and tired and explained how they’d been struggling to follow the pack. They accepted the offer to stay in the camp and did so for the next couple days, only asking for food and shelter only when the weather was bad. Once they could run again, they felt the urge to rejoin the hunt, but also wanted to repay the 5 dragons who’d offered them help for nothing in return.

The Mirror hunted alongside them for several more days, helping them bring in more food and only eating as needed. They helped move the camp to another part of the Boneyard and when another pack came running by, they thanked the 5 dragons one last time before running off to rejoin the hunt.

Last edited on Feb 16, 2021 20:58:38 by VenaCava

[center][Size=5][b]46. Describe a typical day for your Coliseum trainer(s).[/b][/size] Or "I wrote a lot and can't think of something clever to put here right now"[/center] [right]Word count: 1306[/right] [center]((So, gameplay-wise I only have two level 25s I consistently grind and train my fodder with, but lore-wise one of them isn’t a fighter at all and the other doesn’t even exist in lore (yet). So, instead have a story about a typical day for the guard force. Also, this where we start getting into totally disregarding canon. Here we get into the cyberpunk stuff I've got going on with cyborg dragons and robots and dragons directly hooking into machines.))[/center] [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c4m9i4zeyzsml3r/plaguer.png[/img][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9hzqkjw9hb129l6/lightningl.png[/img][/center] As the sun began to peek over the horizon and the twin moons fell, a bright [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/6898796]Wildclaw[/url] with wiring hanging off his body left his personal tent. Well, tent wasn’t quite the right word for it. It was more of a metallic yurt. He stretched and puffed out his feathers before closing the door behind him. He trotted out of the residential area and across the way, over to the sprawling hospital. As with every morning, he greeted the receptionist and everyone he encountered along his trip to the basement. Now met with another door, he placed his hand on the scanner beside it and the door slid open. The room behind it was full of machines, all whirring and with lights indicating who knows what. The Wildclaw looked over one of them and smiled. Obviously, whatever it was doing, it was doing it right. He then opened the capsule in the center of the room. It was a massive column of blue-tinged glass containing thick wires surrounding a platform, just big enough for a dragon to comfortably perch on. The Wildclaw stepped onto the platform and settled there, closing the glass and hooking up the wires in the capsule to the wires on himself. Wires not just on, but [i]in[/i], embedded and directly connected to him. The arms on his back made of harnessed Lightning energy helped with this so it wouldn’t take as long and he wouldn’t get tangled up. Outside, along the edges of the walking patch of Plagueland these dragons called home, the dragons perched along the border quietly beeped in unison. Though they looked like dragons at a glance, they were in fact entirely artificial and were just brought out of full autopilot to full manual mode. The Wildclaw could see through all their cameras at once and move individual synthetic guards if needed. Two Banescales, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/51905459]one[/url] with bright red eyes littering his body and [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40887405]one[/url] marked with fiery streaks moved to the most open border and addressed the synth standing in the spot he was about to take. “Morning Rak, you in there yet?” The many eyed one asked, looking to the automaton before him. “Right here. Now engaging semi-autopilot for the sunrise rotation.” The words came from a hidden speaker within the robot then all the synthetic guards turned and walked to new stations. Several moved into the hospital complex for routine maintenance or to be rotated into the emergency reinforcement team. Just as they entered, a few left the complex to take up stations outside. The two Banescales took the place of two such robots, now watching the ground below and preparing for arrivals. A battle worn [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/18817226]Imperial[/url] and a [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/7137515]Wildclaw[/url] with bright red gems embedded into her took their stations at the entrance to the residential area. And there they all stood, watching, guarding as they traveled. The residents of Nowhere Hospital didn’t necessarily want a guard force, but they knew it was needed. Even if they pledged no allegiance to anyone, even if they always traveled in the name of peace, even if their entire purpose was to tend to the sick and needy, they knew there was always risk of an attack. They had to be able to defend themselves and their guests. The morning was pretty uneventful, though at one point their [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/8416874]scout[/url] flew up with a distressed Tundra following behind him. The fiery Banescale greeted them with the customary "state your business." Though she was aware she was imposing and her purpose was clear, she wasn't making a concerted effort to be intimidating. The Tundra moved some of her fur to reveal a few newhatched hatchlings clinging to her. "I'm fine, but they're not doing well. I fear for them. I don't quite know what's wrong, but I am one of the caretakers for the hatchlings in my clan and they are clearly unwell. They said there was rumor of a good hospital coming through. I was sent out to find help for them." The Banescale smiled and dismissed the scout back to the ground then gestured with her wing for the Tundra to follow while giving her spiel. "Welcome to Nowhere Hospital. We will do our best to figure out what's wrong with the hatchlings and help them to be well. We do not require payment, though it would be greatly appreciated. That does not need to be sorted now. You are welcome to stay in the inn over there while your hatchlings are in our care. All we ask is that you be kind to your fellow dragon and listen to the residents for not all areas are freely open to guests. Dinner will be served at sunset. You're welcome to join us. If you have special dietary needs, let the chef know. Please check in with the receptionist there. He will see to it that your hatchlings are seen as soon as possible." The Tundra thanked her and entered the large structure, walking across the room to the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/7314685]Pearlcatcher[/url] at the desk on the other end. The Banescale returned to her post. At midday there was another rotation. Everyone changed stations. A notice came over the internal com system all the organic guards were wirelessly hooked up to. It was the scout again, his voice ringing in their heads. "We've reached our destination. I'm about to start parking Dajus." "Copy that, proceed. Initiate parking protocol." The Wildclaw in the basement replied. Every other guard along the border flew down to the ground. Half of them continued to face outwards while the other half turned to face inward to look for dragons who may have been in the way. Over the synthetic guards on the ground, the Wildclaw spoke loudly. "Please stand clear. We are about to lower. If you are under the beast, you need to move." He then spoke a different announcement through the speakers on top of the beast. "Good afternoon everyone. As you can probably feel, the subtle swaying has stopped. For the guests among us, this is no cause for alarm. We are now descending to ground level and will remain parked for the next 3 days. If you want to do some local visiting, please see the innkeeper or receptionist to receive an ID bracelet so the guards can identify you and let you back in quickly. For patients wanting to visit the local area, consult with whoever is treating you. Your condition may make such travel hazardous. If approved, you will be escorted around. I have been told there is a nearby merchant square to the north of where we are staying and a cliff beach with a beautiful view lies just beyond it. Welcome to the Mirrorlight Promenade." Within the hour they were on the ground and the guards were back in place. Now among the shining grass of the Sunbeam Ruins, a piece of elevated Plagueland the size of a village sat. The legs it walked upon had vanished beneath it. If they'd been in the Wasteland, it would've blended right in. At sunset, the actual dragons left their posts and were replaced with synthetic guards in this rotation. The wildclaw in the basement left his central control capsule after setting everything back to full autopilot. He could still override and control things wirelessly, but he was done being cooped up in the basement for the day. Most dragons, guests at the inn and patients with approval included, gathered around the bonfire in the middle of the space as dinner was served. They chatted and visited with each other as they ate. Afterwards, many returned to their nests for the night. The gem covered Wildclaw and the many eyed Banescale went back to stations at midnight rotation while the rest of the dragons of the guard went to bed.

VenaCava

3860

February 19, 2021 20:57:56

46. Describe a typical day for your Coliseum trainer(s).

Or "I wrote a lot and can't think of something clever to put here right now"

Word count: 1306

((So, gameplay-wise I only have two level 25s I consistently grind and train my fodder with, but lore-wise one of them isn’t a fighter at all and the other doesn’t even exist in lore (yet). So, instead have a story about a typical day for the guard force.

Also, this where we start getting into totally disregarding canon. Here we get into the cyberpunk stuff I've got going on with cyborg dragons and robots and dragons directly hooking into machines.))

As the sun began to peek over the horizon and the twin moons fell, a bright Wildclaw with wiring hanging off his body left his personal tent. Well, tent wasn’t quite the right word for it. It was more of a metallic yurt.

He stretched and puffed out his feathers before closing the door behind him. He trotted out of the residential area and across the way, over to the sprawling hospital. As with every morning, he greeted the receptionist and everyone he encountered along his trip to the basement. Now met with another door, he placed his hand on the scanner beside it and the door slid open.

The room behind it was full of machines, all whirring and with lights indicating who knows what. The Wildclaw looked over one of them and smiled. Obviously, whatever it was doing, it was doing it right. He then opened the capsule in the center of the room. It was a massive column of blue-tinged glass containing thick wires surrounding a platform, just big enough for a dragon to comfortably perch on. The Wildclaw stepped onto the platform and settled there, closing the glass and hooking up the wires in the capsule to the wires on himself. Wires not just on, but in, embedded and directly connected to him. The arms on his back made of harnessed Lightning energy helped with this so it wouldn’t take as long and he wouldn’t get tangled up.

Outside, along the edges of the walking patch of Plagueland these dragons called home, the dragons perched along the border quietly beeped in unison. Though they looked like dragons at a glance, they were in fact entirely artificial and were just brought out of full autopilot to full manual mode. The Wildclaw could see through all their cameras at once and move individual synthetic guards if needed.

Two Banescales, one with bright red eyes littering his body and one marked with fiery streaks moved to the most open border and addressed the synth standing in the spot he was about to take. “Morning Rak, you in there yet?” The many eyed one asked, looking to the automaton before him.

“Right here. Now engaging semi-autopilot for the sunrise rotation.” The words came from a hidden speaker within the robot then all the synthetic guards turned and walked to new stations. Several moved into the hospital complex for routine maintenance or to be rotated into the emergency reinforcement team. Just as they entered, a few left the complex to take up stations outside. The two Banescales took the place of two such robots, now watching the ground below and preparing for arrivals.

A battle worn Imperial and a Wildclaw with bright red gems embedded into her took their stations at the entrance to the residential area.

And there they all stood, watching, guarding as they traveled. The residents of Nowhere Hospital didn’t necessarily want a guard force, but they knew it was needed. Even if they pledged no allegiance to anyone, even if they always traveled in the name of peace, even if their entire purpose was to tend to the sick and needy, they knew there was always risk of an attack. They had to be able to defend themselves and their guests.

The morning was pretty uneventful, though at one point their scout flew up with a distressed Tundra following behind him. The fiery Banescale greeted them with the customary "state your business." Though she was aware she was imposing and her purpose was clear, she wasn't making a concerted effort to be intimidating.

The Tundra moved some of her fur to reveal a few newhatched hatchlings clinging to her. "I'm fine, but they're not doing well. I fear for them. I don't quite know what's wrong, but I am one of the caretakers for the hatchlings in my clan and they are clearly unwell. They said there was rumor of a good hospital coming through. I was sent out to find help for them."

The Banescale smiled and dismissed the scout back to the ground then gestured with her wing for the Tundra to follow while giving her spiel. "Welcome to Nowhere Hospital. We will do our best to figure out what's wrong with the hatchlings and help them to be well. We do not require payment, though it would be greatly appreciated. That does not need to be sorted now. You are welcome to stay in the inn over there while your hatchlings are in our care. All we ask is that you be kind to your fellow dragon and listen to the residents for not all areas are freely open to guests. Dinner will be served at sunset. You're welcome to join us. If you have special dietary needs, let the chef know. Please check in with the receptionist there. He will see to it that your hatchlings are seen as soon as possible."

The Tundra thanked her and entered the large structure, walking across the room to the Pearlcatcher at the desk on the other end. The Banescale returned to her post.

At midday there was another rotation. Everyone changed stations. A notice came over the internal com system all the organic guards were wirelessly hooked up to. It was the scout again, his voice ringing in their heads. "We've reached our destination. I'm about to start parking Dajus."

"Copy that, proceed. Initiate parking protocol." The Wildclaw in the basement replied. Every other guard along the border flew down to the ground. Half of them continued to face outwards while the other half turned to face inward to look for dragons who may have been in the way.

Over the synthetic guards on the ground, the Wildclaw spoke loudly. "Please stand clear. We are about to lower. If you are under the beast, you need to move."

He then spoke a different announcement through the speakers on top of the beast. "Good afternoon everyone. As you can probably feel, the subtle swaying has stopped. For the guests among us, this is no cause for alarm. We are now descending to ground level and will remain parked for the next 3 days. If you want to do some local visiting, please see the innkeeper or receptionist to receive an ID bracelet so the guards can identify you and let you back in quickly. For patients wanting to visit the local area, consult with whoever is treating you. Your condition may make such travel hazardous. If approved, you will be escorted around. I have been told there is a nearby merchant square to the north of where we are staying and a cliff beach with a beautiful view lies just beyond it. Welcome to the Mirrorlight Promenade."

Within the hour they were on the ground and the guards were back in place. Now among the shining grass of the Sunbeam Ruins, a piece of elevated Plagueland the size of a village sat. The legs it walked upon had vanished beneath it. If they'd been in the Wasteland, it would've blended right in.

At sunset, the actual dragons left their posts and were replaced with synthetic guards in this rotation. The wildclaw in the basement left his central control capsule after setting everything back to full autopilot. He could still override and control things wirelessly, but he was done being cooped up in the basement for the day. Most dragons, guests at the inn and patients with approval included, gathered around the bonfire in the middle of the space as dinner was served. They chatted and visited with each other as they ate.

Afterwards, many returned to their nests for the night. The gem covered Wildclaw and the many eyed Banescale went back to stations at midnight rotation while the rest of the dragons of the guard went to bed.

[Center][b][Size=5]1. Describe a dragon’s reaction to getting rejected.[/center][/size][/b] [Right]Word count: 1642[/right] [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c4m9i4zeyzsml3r/plaguer.png[/img][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9hzqkjw9hb129l6/lightningl.png[/img][/center] "Koln, we need to talk." Those words wouldn't leave his mind. It kept repeating the whole day. He knew he was supposed to be on the after dinner guard rotation that night, but he just couldn't focus. The Wildclaw had approached him in the morning, tired from working overnight and told him they needed to talk, then left to sleep through most of the day. That's when the Banescale's focus faltered. After a few hours of thinking about it, he asked the guard captains if he could have the night to himself. He wasn't expecting them to deny his request and they approved, though one of them did give him a not so playful ribbing about it. What with the dragon he needed to get together with to talk was her son. He would admit she intimidated him. After dinner that night, he knocked on the door into the Wildclaw's home. It was a more traditional structure. It was a complex yurt. Instead of just one large circular room, there were several bunched up and interconnected. The framework was bone while the canvas over it was a variety of stitched together quality hides. If it were a bit smaller and simpler and not intended to stay put, it would blend right in with the fellow Plagueland nomads that they were long ago. The door opened and he was welcomed in. The front room was very open with perches and sitting nests along one edge, a rolling table in the center, and a device on the other end of the space across from the seating. It was a large black box that picked up signals, primarily from Lightning territory, and showed them in the form of moving pictures. Near it was a staircase that led to a loft in the upper part of the room. Above the exact center of the space was a skylight, letting in sunlight during the day and offering a view of the stars at night. It was clear that night. The stars were visible and the twin moons could be seen from the right angle. "Please, take a seat. Or perch, whatever suits you. Tea?" The Wildclaw asked, shutting the door as the Banescale came in. "Oh come on, Krova. Why are you treating me like a stranger? We know each other. And yes, tea please." The Wildclaw, Krova, sighed and shook his head. "That's just the problem." He muttered, stepping away. He took a teacup from the table and set it on the edge, close to where the perches and nests met. The cup was already full, prepared just how the Banescale wanted it. Krova grabbed another full cup and placed it in front of one of the nests before hopping up onto the platform and settling into the soft nest. Once seated, he reached up and pulled off his hat, pushed his cowl down, and unhooked the mask that covered his face. Krova unmasked was an increasingly common sight, but the gesture still held the meaning it always had: he was serious about this. Whatever this was. "Please, sit with me Koln. I'd rather let you down gently." His voice was strained, like he might start crying. Koln, the Banescale, didn't know what to make of it. He stepped forward, moving to the perch by his drink. "Let me down gently? What does that mean? Krova, what are you on about?" "It means I want you to listen. Koln, you mean a lot to me. I can't express how much I appreciate your dedication. I won't deny that I am at extra risk if Shade hunters come. I appreciate you taking it upon yourself to be my personal bodyguard. But I want to make something clear. Koln, you owe me nothing. It's flattering you want to pay me back for helping you, but you truly don't owe me anything." Koln reached over with his tail and took his cup off the table. He tentatively took a sip of the hot tea. "So, you don't want me to personally protect you anymore? You'd rather just another member of the guard?" Krova shook his head and hunkered down further into the nest, puffing out his feathers in frustration. "I'm being unclear. That's part of it. I think it's best for both of us if you at least take a break from being [I]my[/I] guard for a while. Let it rotate, because you do have a point, I won't deny it's better for me to have a bodyguard." Koln nodded and set down his cup. "Good talk. Glad we could clear that up. I'll be-" "Koln!" Krova cut him off, growing impatient and seeing that his implications weren't making an impact. He needed to cut to the chase. "It's not about the guarding. Not entirely. This is part of the problem. You don't listen to me. It's more than you guarding me, it's you being overbearing and not considering my wants in all this." Koln was back to being a little perplexed. "I just want to keep you safe. I listen to you..." Krova was actually crying at this point. "Listening to me isn't speaking over me, claiming you speak for me, when diplomats are here to talk to me and the other Admins. Listening to me isn't following me around in my own hospital. Listening to me isn't whatever you're doing right now. I'm not a hatchling and I'm not stupid. I don't need you making decisions for me. I don't need you constantly at my side. And above all, and listen very closely here Koln, I do [b]not[/b] appreciate you telling random dragons that we're in love." Koln was stunned. He wasn't doing those things… was he? He couldn't believe what he was being accused of. He was only trying to keep Krova safe. That was his job and no one could possibly do it better. And he thought they were a couple. Koln was certainly in love. "But… we are in love. Please don't cry. I… I thought we were…" A distressed sound, a gruff meow, came from the loft above them. A tigerblood foo came bounding down the stairs and leapt into the nest, chuffing and rubbing against Krova. She was trained as his service familiar and could feel his distress. He stroked her fur, instantly calming a little as she settled right up against him. "We never were. Put simply, I don't love you. I never did and you never even asked. You never asked me about how I felt, about how I saw our relationship." Koln wasn't so stunned anymore. He thought he and Krova were together. He thought Krova felt the same way, but he clearly didn't. Koln didn't protest anyone. He understood. His love had been unrequited. "I'm sorry," Koln finally spoke again, "for all of it. I misunderstood, I made assumptions when I should've asked you. I didn't see it before, but I do now. I'll see myself out." With that, he hopped down and left, going to his own home for the rest of the night to think about what he'd done, how badly he'd messed things up with Krova. A couple minutes later, someone else barged into Krova's home. The Pearlcatcher's breathing was ragged from his panicked run over. Krova jolted and looked up at the sound of the door slamming open. The Pearlcatcher stared at him huddled up in the nest, teary eyed and petting a large feline. It was obvious this wasn't a Shade attack. If it were, the foo wouldn't be acting so calm. "What happened?" The Pearlcatcher wheezed, catching his breath and walking in. Krova would almost never protest a visit from him. The Pearlcatcher knew he was welcome. "I broke up with Koln. Who, for the record, was never my boyfriend despite what he may have told everyone." Krova shook his head, sighing. "Broke up really isn't the term for it. But you know what I mean." "Yeah, I do. And, for the record, I knew you two weren't together." The Pearlcatcher hopped up and settled into the other nest. "Well, I knew you didn't reciprocate his feelings." "I should've done it sooner, I just didn't want to hurt him. I thought maybe he'd catch on. Ugh, it's going to be tough talking to mom and Rak in the morning. Rak not so much, we just need to coordinate so I'll have a bodyguard whenever I leave. I'm going to have to convince mom to not go after Koln. He had enough to deal with with me tonight, I don't need her giving him any more grief." "If she tries, I've got your back." The Pearlcatcher reached over and patted Krova's shoulder. "You good for tonight?" "Yeah," Krova nodded, "I should go on to sleep." The Pearlcatcher gave him another pat on the shoulder before jumping down and leaving, off to his own home. Krova stretched and stood then walked through one of the doors further into the abode, up the stairs into a different cozy loft with an even larger nest made of soft materials and adorned with pillows and blankets. He settled in with his foo right behind him. He arranged the pillows until he was satisfied with how they felt, pulled a couple blankets over himself and the foo, then grabbed a small device set on the edge. After messing with it, all the lights in the home turned off and soon he was sleeping. Meanwhile, Koln did much the same, settling in for the night. He needed to sleep. He'd soon come to accept that romantically he and Krova just weren't meant to be. For the next few months, he'd keep his distance but slowly their working relationship and friendship would strengthen again, this time with clearer communication and a better understanding of each other.

VenaCava