OPEN POST: THE ANNIVERSARY

[gentleidealist]

THE ANNIVERSARY

[It's been exactly two years since Mithos took over Paradisa. That's two years of delightful massacres, scaring people into the Dead Zone, and manipulating former friends with the ageless face of a Kharlan hero. Two years of your character struggling to hold onto life as they know it while under the shadow of a fearsome ruler from another world. Two years of scraping to get by, cowering in the Dead Zone, waiting for a chance to go home or a death that Paradisa can't-- won't-- give.

There is nothing planned for today, though there are a few whimsical sort of changes that Mithos called for. The angels are on security detail as usual, policing the grounds; however, Mithos and his closest subordinates may be stepping outside. There is a grand feast set up in the ballroom... but angels don't eat, so it's really just for show. The place has the air of a graveyard party where even the dead decide not to attend.

There is an undercurrent of anxiety tonight, a breath held in anticipation. Something is about to happen, and even the insects are quiet.]

CASTLE GROUNDS
INSIDE THE WALLS
THRONE ROOM
BASEMENT
THE OUTSKIRTS
TOWN
DANY'S CAVE
DEAD ZONE SETTLEMENT
THE FOREST

[ooc: HUGE OPEN MINGLING POST for characters who either reside in the castle as angelic little zombies, or people who are returning for whatever reason. Please don't threadjack something without notifying the muns in advance!

You are free to make your own sections if you'd like and I'll add them to this post :)]

Comments

[draca]

[ She thinks she is dreaming when she hears the distinct rumble from further within her cave, violet eyes snap open and her hand moves for something sharp. Daenerys has never had to wield a weapon herself, but Paradisa has forced the dragon queen to do things she never thought possible of herself.

(The pyramids of Meereen sit in the for front of her mind and she yerns for the company of her handmaidens, of her Unsullied, and loyal Ser Barristan.)

From deeper in Drogon rumbles again but does not roar, whoever approaches is not an enemy, yet that knowledge does not bring her comfort. As silently as possible she edges towards the entrance of her abode, fingers wrapping around half dull dagger. ]

Who goes? Announce yourself and your intentions at once.

[queensconsort]

[He lets out a soft breath, possibly one of relief, when he hears Dany's voice.]

I am Krasus, my lady Khaleesi. I came to see if someone still dwelt here, and ensure it was not yet another threat to the survivors.

[draca]

Krasus? [ It is a name she has not heard in some time, a name she thinks she heard in a dream. Instantly her fingers loosen and she steps out of the entrance, purple eyes hopeful for the first time in a while. It has been too long since she has seen a friendly face. ]

My lord Krasus, the gods themselves cannot tell who relieved my heart is that it is you and not others. [ If Drogon's noise had drawn unwanted attention, if the angel king had found her ─ ]

I only returned to this dwelling recently, with one of my children instead of three. I do not know how long it has been, nor can I assure there no threat to the survivors.

[ Drogon is unruly and she struggles to get him to listen to command. ]

[queensconsort]

It has been two years since the castle's fall. I had hoped you and many others would be free of this place until the power had shifted once more, but we are not always so fortunate.

[Only one instead of three? That means less to protect her, and Drogon is evidently agitated. Something has to be done, or else an angelic patrol could easily make its way up here and ruin any sense of peace to be found.

He steps forward. Despite his wiry frame, there is something in him that refuses to break, something commanding.]

Let me see what ails him.

[draca]

No, fortune does not always favor us.

[ A lesson she knows well.

She watches him carefully, were he anyone else she would caution against such a thing but Krasus? There is something different about him, something she has yet to put her finger on. Yet Drogon does not appear hostile towards him, from within his nest the black-and-red scaled dragon simply rumbles. ]

This way. [ She motions deep into the cave, turning on her heel to lead him through the back and a hole clearly melted by her child's flames.

The nest he made himself is large, more than enough space for him and his brothers, the dragon himself lays curled just right of the light filtering through the opening in the nest's ceiling. From the near darkness the fiery red coals of his eyes are clearly seen. ]

I had little time for him as his brothers once I conquered the Slaver's Bay, and I fear that has taken it's toll.

1/2

[queensconsort]

[Krasus touches the cave wall as they slink deeper into the cave. It has been some time since he saw a cave made in such a way. It reminds him of the abode Alexstrasza had carved, long long ago. The place is probably destroyed or overgrown by now, but the wards on it would remain. He made certain of that.

Krasus has no trouble seeing, but he doesn't volunteer this information. He tugs his cloak down, filtered light outlining the edges of an aged but handsome face.]

He has grown into a fine young drake.

[The dragon-mage approaches without a trace of fear, arms spread in a welcoming gesture. He locks eyes with the drake and doesn't let go. Dany may not know what's going on, but Krasus deems it finally appropriate to project his soothing voice and presence into the young dragon's mind.]

[queensconsort]

Drogon, little one, what ails you so? Your mother is here and unharmed, and your siblings safe beyond the reach of this place.

[He's not exactly expecting a worded response-- young dragons are not always able to speak-- but a sign, anything... a feeling, thought-images. He'll take it all.]

[draca]

He has. [ There is pride in her voice, and a touch of sadness. She wishes she had more time for him and his brothers, she wishes she knew more of dragons and how to tame them.

Regardless of not knowing what is happening she watches the exchange curiously, remaining a fair distance back from bother dragon and man.

The young dragon huffs smoke at Krasus, lifting his head from it's resting place upon the ground. He does not reply, but the words are not lost on him. Wings stretch as his mouth opens, an indignant yawn of a sorts.

He wants to fly, he wants to hunt, he wants to burn the with wings. But mother says no, mother says stay hidden, mother says wait. He does not want to listen. ]

[queensconsort]

[Krasus nods, making some small indication that he understands. The young drake would feel warmth even though Krasus does not touch him, warmth as ancient as dragon-fire, like the kind he felt as he hatched.

After a minute, Krasus turns back to Dany.]

He needs to fly and hunt for himself. It is important for all young drakes to stretch their wings and sharpen their claws, or they will go mad. Their scales will dull and their wings will become fatigued. He must be allowed to leave.

It is dangerous, but it must be done. If you cannot guide him safely, then I will protect him as he hunts. There is plenty to eat outside of the castle grounds.

[draca]

[ His words do not bring her comfort, but it does not surprise her. Drogon was the first to begin hunting, he was always the fiercest of her children. She worries for him, like any mother should, yet she knows she cannot keep him here forever.

With a sigh she nods. ]

I understand.

[ Drogon shifts, the warmth from Krasus a curious thing to him. The dragon himself is always warm, fire made flesh, it intrigues him to feel such from the two legged man. ]

You must swear. [ A fire enters Daenerys' voice, all of a sudden she is the Queen. More than simply Khaleesi. ] Swear to me on the thing you hold dear you will protect my child as if he was your own, swear to me that no harm shall befall him under your care.

[queensconsort]

[Krasus doesn't hesitate. He dips to one knee.]

By the name of the my queen, I will care for your child as if he were my own. No harm shall come to him, so long as he is under my protection. I swear it.

[Boy, is she in for a surprise.]

If you will hear me, my lady Khaleesi, I have but one request.

[draca]

[ It will suffice, she thinks, she trusts Drogon's reaction to Krasus. She trusts that he believes him trustworthy, if he were not the black-and-red dragon would not have allowed him to approach. If he had been deemed unsavory, his nest would have been filled with dragon-fire. ]

Speak, my lord, I will hear your request.

[queensconsort]

Please do not speak of this to anyone. [He rises to his feet and starts to walk toward the entrance, silvery hair trailing behind. He knows he won't be able to fit his true form in this cave.] I have lived among the mortal races longer than I have lived among my own people-- watching and guiding them when needed. There is nothing else I would rather do.

Despite what you may think, I am not invincible. I am old, and I bleed like any other.

[draca]

[ She follows without pause, expression as curious as it is cautious. He speaks of mortal races and living among them longer than among his own kind? ]

I do not think anyone is invincible. [ She once thought her sun-and-stars incapable of falling, but fall he did, and with it her heart. ]

You claim you are old yet you do not look it.

[queensconsort]

[Her observation brings forth a small smile, something genuine and rare. He faces her as he stands at the edge of the cliff.] Elves age much slower than humans. But I am neither.

[It's not a beautiful transformation. He hunches over, smoke swirling about his limbs. His fingers lengthen into claws, and his surface begins to shift and melt: cloak and skin and all. He feels some disorientation as his bones situate themselves into a new shape, and then he is free.

The elf she once knew is now a gargantuan wyrm with scales of crimson, hovering before Dany with effortless beats of his great wings.]

[draca]

[ To say that the queen is surprised would be an understatement. During his transformation she jerks back, hands covering her mouth. Maegi she thinks at first, out of habit, and she has half a mind to call for Drogon ─

Only the words never reach her lips, as the smoke fades and in his place is a dragon as red as Drogon's eyes. ]

You ─

[ It baffles her mind, to say the least, a dragon masquerading as something else, as an elf. She had a feeling the day she met him there was more to him than was seen. Yet none of her wildest dreams ever came close to the truth. ]

[queensconsort]

[Everything had been intentional. The way he presented himself, his manner of speaking, his quiet assurance that he understood things about draconic diets and dragons in particular, because it was part and parcel of being a mage of some import on the world of Azeroth.

This takeover, unfortunately, was not. And he has always been the first to out himself in times of emergency, because he can't watch people be hurt any longer.

He'd perch on the cliff if there was room, but there isn't, so he maintains his distance.]

I am sorry to have deceived you all this time. It was never for personal gain, I assure you.

[draca]

[ She shakes her head, a warm smile on her lips. ]

Do not apologize, sweet Krasus, you have nothing to apologize for. I know more than most the power dragons hold, I know how men lust for it. Such deception is necessary when you do not know who to trust.

[ She moves to the edge of the cliff, purple eyes drinking in the sight. She wants to engrave it into her mind so she will never forget. ]

I wish to touch you, if you would permit it.

[ Dany wonders if he is as warm as her children, if fire thrums underneath his scales. ]

[queensconsort]

[His eyes widen a little, but the surprise is more in his voice than in his body language. He delicately perches on the edge of the cliff, using a tiny bit of magic to adhere himself there and prevent some kind of awful accident.]

Thank you, my lady Khaleesi. Your kindness means more than you know.

[He lays his head on one of his claws, allowing her the chance to touch his his head and neck, if she so pleases.]

You may. I am hardly ticklish.

[Despite being a cold-blooded creature, he is as warm as anything else, with a strong heartbeat and ancient magic coursing through his veins. He watches her with one amber eye.]

[draca]

Daenerys. [ She corrects him. ] Please, call me Daenerys.

[ She takes a step, the first hesitant until she takes the next. Confidence filling her stride until she is close enough to lay a hand on his scales. It surprises her to find him so warm, but it is a pleasant surprise. One that brightens her face with joy.

So warm and strong. ]

You are beautiful and truly magnificent.