@
decaffeinated I'm snagging this gal here.
A nameless dragoness loops trough the darkened evening skies,seeking something or perhaps..someone? A new home,a place to live. While she liked it at the motel,sitting there 24/7 got seriously boring and...Nobody seems to be interested in going out.
On top of that she doesn't have a name-at all. Who is like that! Every dragon she's met thus far,has a name, be it one with grand super mysterious meaning or a simple,goofy to outright
ridiculous one-so naturally when meeting with new faces they say their name. That's okay,alright.
But the problem comes a second later when
they,ask for
her name.
Gods it's awkward! And so frustrating! Why didn't her parents give her a name?! Any! Heck,she would have even accepted being named
Dangling goat noodles! Even that! Just not to be nameless,but
no!
So image how embarrassing it is when people at the motel have to address her-
"Miss..." The dragon behind the registry desk at reception paused uncomfortably,trying to eighter look for a name tag or initials but found none of that stuff,so they continued on awkwardly-"..Unnamed? Er,here is your key to room 308 on third floor." They said,giving the Spiral a key.
Yes,she remembers this rather inconvenient moment quite vividly.
The dragon breathed a long puff of heated smoke in irritation at the memory,snorting indignantly while staring ahead with a sneer. Absurd,unacceptable.Simply unacceptable. She remembers that one time at the motel when she had jokingly said that a member of whichever clan,guild,whatever,gives her a name-she would remain in that group. The shadowling had laughed along with the other residents.
She was so absorbed into her thoughts that she nearly slammed into a tall Pine tree.
Yelping in surprise,the serpentine dragon maneuvered sharply in ateempt at steering away from it but one of her wings got caught in its branches and before she knew it,she was spiraling downwards like a helicopter that's out of control.
Unconsciously she wrapped her tail around the bark and continued to fly down,now flapping her remaining two free wings frantically until she finally reached the ground.
Or more like,slid to the ground-she had wrapped her entire body in her panicking.
It seems like she was in the Wispwillow Grove,because two towers were standing before her-just a few meters away. And then there were footsteps-heavy footsteps.
A pthalo scaled Imperial came into view,clearly headed towards the towers and the gate between them. Then a Guardian appeared,and then a Mirror-two to be exact.
One of them turned their heads in her direction and eyed her curiously for a long moment before finally asking-"
"You okay? What are ya doing up there? Come on,it's getting dangerously late."
The other dragon in the group glanced back,watching the dark male questioningly.
"Noxtur,who are you talking to? Where are you going? C'on we gotta go home." It was the other Mirror-a female. So the approaching male is called Noxtur,huh.
"Just helping out a damsel in distress,Inuwa. You go with the others-Amate,can you skip and notify Tym of a new arrival? If he's not asleep already,that is..I think he's an early bird...Oh and Regal? Please notify Persy,you know how she gets with surprise guests-all sus and such."
The largest of the bunch-Amate probably-nods nonchalantly with a grin and resumes his striding,calling out a lighthearted "Don't stay for too long!" before dissappearing down the path and past the gate with the Guardian stomping after slowly.
Somehow within minutes,Noxtur untangled the poor noodle from the tree and somewhat mechanically led her the same path,mumbling a faint "Come on."
It was late at night when they made it past the main village of Dragons' roost and reached the Lone Cottages where a meager neighborhood was located.
They approached the first lodge closest to the gravelly valley and the Mirror rapped on the wooden door five times,until a voice yelped on the other side-"Comin',Comin'."
An average tall painted centaur opened the door,looking tired yet still friendly as he muttered something but paused when he spotted the two dragons on the porch.
He had dark brown wooly hair tied into a very loose side ponytail,warm chocolate brown doe eyes and bushy eyebrows that were raised subtly in surprise.
"Oh,hello. What brings you two here at this hour?" He asked,voice holding a Scottish accent.
"Ah,hey Tym,hope you don't mind taking in this..uh,poor wandering soul,for the night.
...You weren't just heading to bed,right?" The patrol guard asked,earning himself a slight smile that held a different meaning.
"Nope,they're very much welcomed. So..come in,it's getting a wee cold at this time of the year-you know how it is." He said,opening the door a little more and stepped aside to allow the duo to enter. Nox strolled inside easily,unconsciously still dragging the other dragon after him. Once inside,the Spiral gaped at the interior-the walls were a soft wisteria with a vintage lantern hung over the fireplace in the antre and small clay pots were lined up on a shelf on the right wall.
Under it was a comfortable looking sofa and a nice white puffy carpet that seems to be made rather than bought with a unique zigzagging patterns that crisscross.
Opposite of the entrance is a set of wooden stairs that lead to the second floor,under the stairs was a small room.
They haven't asked for her name yet. Which is odd.Oh boy,how she dreads that inevitable moment.
"Well,I'm gonna leave you here,pal-I got a duty or two more to deal with. Don't worry,if you need something-just tell Tym over there." Nox reassured and gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder,nodded his goodbye to the guesthouse keeper and left,closing the door behind himself.
Awkward silence settled between the two and hesitantly,the newcomer finally spoke up-"Um,hi?...I guess I should go up,to my room? Er,uh..who are you? Actually,never mind,I'll just go up and not keep keeping you up any longer.Night!"
The person's voice halted her and she turned her head to look over her shoulder-he's...smiling? As he answers calmly,standing in his spot uncertainly.
"Don't worry about it,it's perfectly fine,lassie. I have a few notes to take anyway,so I will be up for a few..hours. Just for information,we don't have many guests as of late,so most of the rooms are free. My name's Tymeth Hrafunsson,by the way."
The beast said,then dissappeared in the room under the stairs only to show up with a few papers and a white tablecloth that he draped on the coffee table with one hand,then sat down.
The dragon stayed quiet for a long moment,cheeks red before piping up once again-"Can I join you,Mr. Hrafunsson?"
"Sure,come-take a seat. And,please,no need for such formalities-you can call me 'Tym' if you want." He responded,briefly glancing up from his scribbling before focusing on his notes again. She didn't need to be invited twice as she slinks over and sat down next to him,peering over his shoulder with open curiousity.
She remembers many stories of the Centaur beastclans tribe and how her parents would always say to stay away from them,because they're dangerous and scary.
Look at me,mom and dad! Actually,I think I saw more beast around on the way here. Not scary. Friendly or grumpy but not scary. She tought idly then asked-
"What is your job? Do you live here,and where am I actually? What are you writing?"
Of course,she would have asked much more questions but feared that she might annoy her companion.
"Hm? My job? Well,I'm working as a guest house keeper. And yes,it used to be my home but it felt far too empty so I turned it into a guest house. It's an idea more lively.
As for specific location,I believe that you are in the northeastern part of clan Tainted shadows. What am I writing? Oh nothin' special,just some notes and general to-do lists. Tomorrow,I'll have to hang up the fairylights,go out to the trading post to pick up some groceries..simple things."
"Ow,that sounds like a lot of work...can I help you? I mean,if you don't mind being assisted by a newbie." The dragon asked,eyes gleaming hopefully in childish excitement.
"Why not? The more-the merrier!" Was the answer.
"Hey,um...How does one become part of the clan? I don't...really have a name or home and I don't know why I'm telling you all this,but it's strangely easy to talk to you?? Like if I choose to permanently reside here...would you welcome me,even though we barely know each other???" The words came out in a rush and Tymeth paused,frowning slightly in concentration.
"...It's a long-term process-one settles down and just,starts getting to know their clan mates,get used to the place...It's not a step-by-step ritual with instructions to follow,just natural occurrence. As for the name,simply think of what you would prefer to be called and it will become your name. And,I'm afraid that I can't answer your last question...Wll see,maybe?"
"Oh,that's understandable. I would like to be called...Regal or Royal." The Spiral said.