⠀ ⠀ 𝑓𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑒. 𝕾𝐓𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝕺𝐅 𝕾𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒… ⠀ ⠀

⠀ 𝕰𝑫𝑮𝑬.⠀@flyingblade.bsky.social · 2y ago

It's... To be cliche, it's complicated. Lending an ear may ease the burden, but it won't do anything to change what is in place. It's an inevitability. Either that, or it's something that is out of the dragon's control. Either way, it's almost certainly best to keep him alone. +

Gil'ellian Greydove @scionofsong.bsky.social · 6mo ago

If there is a curse or ill that might befall him, he need not face it alone. There is much a talented healer might do to free him from such a thing. ...And if the threat is internal, a friendly ear can often reinforce the will to change.

"We don't think much of ants, 'til they're the size of houses and burnin' down the forests. The desert is our home... and we're losin' that, too."

Everyone. He's a ticking bomb, and the further away he is from civilization, the better.

Gil'ellian Greydove @scionofsong.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Safer for whom?

It's safer this way.

Gil'ellian Greydove @scionofsong.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Not the safest way to pass his days - but they're hardly one to speak.

Probably for the best. The dragonborn is similarly thinking of other things, burning the time away in the nearby woods.

Gil'ellian Greydove @scionofsong.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Quietly hidden away in a library, lost in a large, esoteric tome not thinking about what day it is. Not even a little.

A solitary walk to the nearest town, to top up on supplies and essentials. Then it'll be back to the wilds, to stay away...

A long, cold night in the woods.

"This flower is for you! I hope it makes you happy!" #WutheringWavesRP #WuWaRP #MVRP

a close up of a cartoon character with yellow hair and green ears

ALT: a close up of a cartoon character with yellow hair and green ears

media.tenor.com

"Stick by my side and I know we can make it through anything." #OCRP / #MVRP An original character written by SUNDER.

Not me. And I didn't take it.

SUNDRINKER@sundrinker.sunder.my · last yr.

You were the one temped by the power I offered.

...That sounds a lot like stereotyping. Typical coming from them.

SUNDRINKER@sundrinker.sunder.my · last yr.

One need not atone for the evil inherent to their kind, Udorakas.

A new village, a fresh set of clothes, and a mug of something strong to quiet his anxieties. Perhaps he'll pick up a quest or two, begin the quiet cycle of atoning once more.

A sharp gasp. Eyes open once again. Pink scale covered in smoldering tattered clothes, aching back on the firm ground. It happened again. Months of time lost, a body not his own moving with string pulled by another. It had been years, almost a decade since the last time, and not nearly as long. +

Udo had helped with the breakfast a bit, but ended up breaking down the tent in record time instead. He felt better, having energy to spend, and was eager to get back on the road with his friend. He was taking a breather when Inrin handed him breakfast. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

Inrin hushed him playfully, pausing at his gentle touch and words before smiling, "Of course, Udo." She nodded and got to work. ... It didn't take long for the scent of cooked sausages and eggs began to waft across the air. Inrin was couldn't help but add an extra sausage and eggs for their meal.

"Hm. No wonder I could smell dirt on you." Udo grinned, a soft chuckle on his lips. As they stepped out of the tent, he began to pile some wood into the fire pit, waiting until Inrin had pulled out the cookware. Before he lit the fire, his hand moved to rest on her shoulder. Firm, but gentle. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

Inrin nodded and moved to get up too, "Moreso me, I think. I believe I rolled around the mud yesterday." She sighed dramatically, "It was gross." With that, she laughed, hoping to lift his spirits up with their banter and the hot food soon as she headed back to their camp.

Another moment to compose himself, before gently slipping from her embrace to stand. "Sounds good to me." Udo replied, some life returning to his voice. "I think we both deserve some relaxing in a river or something. We must reek by now." he chuckled. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

Inrin nodded and smiled, "Let's make some eggs and fry some sausages? What do you think? I think we still have some good bread too." She chuckled, patting his head and wiping his eyes, "Then after, we can clean up and head out. Hopefully find a lake to bathe in."

Time for a lazy day. The dragon found a spot at the beach, just floating along on the waves to cool off and enjoy himself. Head empty. #OpenRP

Her touch comforted him, more than he realized. It was something to ground him, to know that he found someone who could relate. "...I feel a little better. Thank you." he muttered. "I'd like to help... Gives me something to do."

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

It was slow yet rhythmic and Inrin continued to hold him, quietly rubbing and brushing his head. "...feeling better?" She asked, looking at him and lightly nuzzling his head, "Want me to make us some breakfast?"

It was words he needed to hear, words he had to know were true. And although he couldn't fully accept that fact in the moment, a part of it had begun to erode away. Decades of holding it in, ever so slowly beginning to crumble. Udorakas tried to focus as he cried, to compose himself. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

"But it is not you. It will never be you." Inrin mumbled, holding him as well as she pulled his head to her chest gently. A hand began to rub his head, neck, and back, comforting the dragonborn. She, in turn, rested her head against his and let him weep openly.

Another tight embrace, another wave of tears. He had told himself things like this before, tried to move past it by himself. But just hearing someone tell him it wasn't his fault, that he was not that monster that took the lives of those closest to him... Udorakas broke down. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

...and Inrin teared up a little. She didn't know what the Chromatic Dragon is, who Tiamat is, or what Divergence meant. All she knew is to hold Udorakas once again. In the short time she knew him, Udorakas is a kind man. A gentle soul. A fun adventurer. A dragonborn who is her friend.

Udo found his arms wrapping around Inrin, his head gently buried in her neck. She felt wetness on her skin, the cracks within him getting deeper as he cried in his friend's arms. ...He did the best he could. A sharp inhale, a shaky exhale. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

...Inrin has no idea what his story is but vaguely, she remembered her own loss. People she promised to protect, only to fail and lose them. Her brows furrowed and she reached over to pull her dear friend close into an embrace. She can't cheer him up with words, nor tell him that he did no wrong.

Inrin grabbing his hand made the scaled man tremble, only for his grip to tighten in kind. Her words struck him, deeper than he realized, and Udo blinked away the wetness that began to shine in the dawning sun. It wasn't hard to see the conflict behind those eyes now. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

...what a mean thing to say to such pretty blue eyes. Inrin took his hand, frowning his way as she tightened her hold a bit in a comforting manner. "Who said you weigh people down?" She asked, "I don't plan on parting ways either, Udo. In fact, I'm very lucky to be with you, you know."

His own gaze stayed on the blooming light outside, as if replaying the dream and seeing it in front of him. "I've been on quite a lot." he affirmed, hands in his lap. "But most of them are for quests, bounties, fixing things. For one reason or another, I end up parting ways." +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

"Oh?" Inrin didn't want to ask too much questions, picking up the somberness in his eyes and voice, "...I kinda assumed you're the type to go on all kinds of journeys." She joked, smiling and looking at him more than the sunset...

Thankfully they had picked a decent spot to camp, they could enjoy the sunrise through the open flaps without much issue, except the dragon needing to scooch a bit closer to Inrin. Totally just to see the sunrise. "Mhm." he replied, eyes fixed on the horizon ahead of them. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

"Dreams?" Inrin asked, a bit curious of what he dreamt of and seeing him smile after giving him one glance, she was glad it wasn't a nightmare. She looked ahead and saw the rays, "The sunrise... Sure, we can see the sun." She smiled, slowly getting up a bit and opening the flaps of their tent.

"Morning." As she turned away, there was an unmistakable grin on the dragon's lips, as well as his own gentle blush. Stretching his body, he opted to stay laying on the blankets for a little while longer. "Slept well enough, had an interesting dream of two." +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

Inrin froze at the sight and immediately, she turned as red as a beet while sitting up and letting go. "...m-morning..." She greeted, trying to play it casual as she looked at the entrance of the tent, "Did you sleep well? The sun just came up..."

She could take all the time she wanted. The morning, the days to come. They had survived so far, that was a hard-fought gift. No shame indulging in a moment. Or two. However long they lay there, however long she held his arm, this was her moment to cherish. At least, until she realized. +

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

Inrin paused and closed her eyes again, meeting him in the middle as she finally pressed her forehead on his arm and she fully embraced it. Ahh, it's a cool, early morning after all. She wanted nothing more than to just take it all in for just a second. Just a moment. Just right now to remember.

◇ DAME AYLIN ◇ N I G H T S O N G » Feel my voice rattle your bones as I proclaim our victory! «

A reaction, the slightest shiver from her touch... Before shuffling ever so slightly closer to her. His breathing was rhythmic, a deep rise and fall of his chest. Practiced, ever in control, even while his mind was far away from the tent.

ᵢ ₙ ᵣ ᵢ ₙ@tatteredballgown.bsky.social · last yr.

...and Inrin couldn't help but smile, watching the light hit him and seeing all those details. As if Udo couldn't get any more beautiful. "You're making me a little jealous." She whispered, one hand reaching over to gently brush some of his scales ever so lightly.