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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 15, 2022 21:52:14 GMT
Martivir just grins, "That's my little song! Always helping people who need it, hopefully your business is going well?" His eyes shine with pride and amusement as he watches Vythmiirik duck her head in embarrassment. He makes a non-committal hum as Sasco mentions his project before going on "It's going well enough for what it needs to be, just wish the person who wanted it'd actually given me the time I need to do it to the standard I like!" he grumbles animately as he, like his daughter, balances his plate on his tail freeing up his hands for some more dramatic gesturing. It looks like something he's done several times in the past, though not as long as his daughter's, his tail still wraps around enough that he can do so.
Ornisk makes a tsking noise from the back of her throat and Martivir makes an amused noise back, leaning down to brush his cheek against hers as he makes his way to the coffee table himself; placing down his food and then, instead of sitting on a chair, pulls a cushion from under the table, and plonks himself down on it. Ornisk makes a slight exasperated sigh, though she doesn't say anything; but she does respond to his affection clearly.
Vythmiirik just rolls her eyes a little at her father's antics, but doesn't seem all that offended herself; as though she is used to it despite having guests.
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sasco
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 16, 2022 20:35:53 GMT
*He chuckles at the affectionate display. Admittedly he's not used to seeing such displays as showing affection is done in more private settings where he is from. He takes a bite of his own griddled bread before continuing. Noticing Vyth's embarrassment he attempts to change the subject.*
"That tail trick, is that something all of you can do? We don't have many tailed folk where I'm from so I've never seen it before."
*He bites his tongue as he realizes he just gave the father another opportunity to show off.*
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 17, 2022 23:26:25 GMT
Martivir's spines twitch with glee only to wilt slightly at Ornisk's disapproving look, though he does give her a mischievous look as he speaks. "Pretty much all our clan are born with tails, Wings are rare though" Ornisk flicks him with her own tail at that comment, twitching one of her own wings slightly. "So we are all sort of used to using our tails as extra limbs; though not all of us have good senses of balance and some people view using your tail like that as uncouth" he winks at his mate teasingly. Ornisk huffs at him "It's generally something that is not done in polite society unless you are of a particular sort" she adds with a slight teasing grumble.
Vythmiirik nods "I starting doing it as a child, largely from watching father doing it" she adds bringing her tail around and putting her plate back on it to demonstrate it. "It's largely about positioning and how you curl the tail to get the most area under the object you want to balance on it. Thankfully I inherited mother's longer tail type" she adds the last part in a slightly cheeky tone.
Martivir grins before adding with a large amount of glee "And I can do a spinning plate trick on mine, want to see?" he seems to eager for that. Ornisk just face palms.
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sasco
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 18, 2022 8:11:11 GMT
*Sasco chuckles nervously as he begins to sweat*
"I can take your word that you're able to do it. Perhaps after dinner, hehe."
*He takes a rather long drink to calm himself back down, also to shield his eyes from the embarrassed mother.*
"Wings are unheard of in my clan. I can't recall anyone that even have tails though we have heard of them."
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 18, 2022 20:48:03 GMT
Vythmiirik pats Sasco on the shoulder consolingly "It's ok, father is quite excitable and a little overwhelming I know" she tells him quietly. "If you need a moment let me know"
"Yes... that sort of thing is not suitable for tea time Martivir. Besides you've gone and overdone it again" Ornisk scolds sounding more exasperated than angry. Martivir's spines droop a little at his mate's scolding, and huffs slightly; but seems to take it all in stride.
"You need a tail in order to glide properly, we can't fly though; our wings aren't strong enough for that, but I do enjoy being able to ride the thermals" Vythmiirik speaks up, standing up to spread them without hitting Sasco in the head. "See the muscles in my wings aren't developed enough for proper flight, but they can hold well enough for a glide" she held them out so he could see.
"They are very rare though; there's only really three families in the whole clan who have them, mine being one of them" Ornisk adds having finally cowed her mate into not going off on a tangent again, though he is still smiling at her.
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 19, 2022 6:12:34 GMT
*Silently thanking the ancestors for the tangent, he stoops closer to the wings fighting the temptation to touch them. Such an action would probably be a bit inappropriate. Indeed, he can see where muscle mass would not be conducive to flying for long. He looks over at Marivir and sighs in relief that he doesn't seem to be offended by the interaction. Admittedly he felt bad for the father. Clearly he just wants a chance to impress and Sasco can't fault him for that. He wonders if perhaps he was raised in a more competitive environment.*
"Forgive my ignorance, but thermals? I'm imagining that heat waves could make you glide but perhaps I'm misunderstanding the idea."
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 19, 2022 21:53:55 GMT
Vythmiirik smiled "Thermals are meteorol; a column of rising air caused by local unequal heating of the land surface, its used by people like me who glide and birds to gain height. It's basically how we can get altitude without needing to actually fly" she explained not aware of Sasco's own thoughts. Her father had been through a rough time when younger and the clan had been migrating so it would be a reasonable to assume that he had needed to compete a lot for resources as a child, her mother less so as her rarity had her as something of a higher social status at the time.
Ornisk nodded as well "They're sort of invisible air currents that move up to a boundary layer, where the clouds are, you can circle on them for hours if you know what you're doing" she adds. Martivir grinned and added excitedly "It's awesome to watch too!"
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 20, 2022 6:01:16 GMT
"I see! That is quite fascinating! Can't say I can do any particularly neat tricks of my own. I don't really have the performance side in me, heh."
*He spends some extra time pouting a cup of tea and adding his preferred ratio of cream and sugar.*
"Well, I quite enjoyed the meal and tea. I'm ready to ask some questions that could help me on my trip here, if you folks would not mind."
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 20, 2022 20:53:05 GMT
Vythmiirik huffs as she folds her wings back and returns to her seat "Thanks, eh, it's not exactly performance art...well unless you're father", to which Martivir makes a face at in a comically overly dramatized way. His spines perk up after Sasco makes his question and he grins. Ornisk quells her mate's excitement with a single look, pouring some tea for herself "Of course, Vyth told us that you had questions before. Please by all means ask, we will do our best to answer" this was after all to be a serious talk and as much as she adored him, Martivir's energy would not help too much this time; so Ornisk would take control of the Q&A session.
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 20, 2022 21:49:34 GMT
*He takes a rather long sip of tea, a clue that he's trying to calm himself for the questions.*
"As you may have noticed, my work has taken me in a rather "spiritual" direction. The next path appears to be taking me to a dragon graveyard. I wish to visit it, with permission of course, but I worry that there are others already present. What I wish to know first is how often do outsiders get access to the dragon graveyard and for what reason?"
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 21, 2022 18:18:48 GMT
Vythmiirik herself doesn't add anything to Sasco's comments having already warned her parents before. The pair of them look at each other and Ornisk sighs, "I do know how to get to it, I visited it myself in my youth; though by accident at the time. Thankfully the grave guardian was understanding, answered a few of my questions, and let me leave. They probably wont be so understanding for any who visit it nefariously, they aren't someone to be taken lightly." Ornisk takes a deep breath quelling her own memories, Martivir moves over to lean against his mate's leg to offer comfort; there is an impression that she saw more than she's saying "Generally, they don't allow anyone to just visit it, but have been known to allow worthy knowledge seekers to the shrine to Chronepsis in the entrance way."
She pauses for a moment and looks at Sasco with a piercing (and slightly intimidating) stare "It is a dangerous path and very difficult to reach if you can't fly, you will be tested...are you sure you want to go?"
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sasco
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 21, 2022 21:56:38 GMT
*Sasco gives a stoic look, though someone as sharp as Ornisk can tell that there is a hint of fear in his eyes*
"I feel compelled to go. It's the best path to something that has haunted my mind for years."
*His hands slightly shake as he takes another sip of tea. Ornisk's stare and the sheer tone of her voice was already starting to weigh down on him.*
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 22, 2022 0:06:27 GMT
Ornisk does indeed note Sasco's nerves "I see, Vyth has spoken of what you seek and I am myself quite interested in such things. But it is not a safe path and you should be aware of those dangers; 'those unprepared are often the first to fail' after all" she quoted the last part from some long near forgotten maxim. As she closed her eyes and sat back in the chair "I do know where it is, and how a flightless one can reach it," she paused for a moment. "Though I would caution against going alone. The path is well protected and magically hidden, it will seek to drive you from you path"
She watches him for a moment before giving a sigh "Ask me what questions you have, just because you may not feel ready now; doesn't mean you never will"
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 22, 2022 8:29:52 GMT
*Sasco swallowed*
"I thank you for sharing what you know. Allow me to share what my goal is since it could very well be important for the questions I ask. I have been haunted with what awaits my people in the afterlife: A foul construct known as the Wall of the Fatihless. My people strived to be self sufficient and not rely on the gods. It felt too close to being slaves of the great dragons of our old world. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we have doomed our very souls. I wish to fix that: To find that wall and destroy it."
*As he shares his story, his hands clench tightly on the chair and it is taking all of his strength to hold back his tears. He shields his eyes for a minute while downing some tea before he is able to calm himself back down.*
"Right, now that we are on the same page on the context, I suppose the wise place to start are these tricks. Are we talking illusions or perhaps magic that can charm the mind?"
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 22, 2022 16:23:01 GMT
Ornisk nods "I see, I doubt you will be able to destroy the wall due to it's sheer size, but if you feel you have to make an attempt at it, well it is not our place to stop you" she sighs and closes her eyes. Martivir rumbles soothingly to Ornisk and she opens her eyes to look at him for a moment, running a hand through his spines.
After a moment she continues to speak "A little of both, the path itself is hidden by an illusion. One you step on it though the magic is mind affecting; it will try to drive you away, it starts off with mere disorientation, as you go further it will prey on your fears"
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 22, 2022 22:04:18 GMT
"In other words, don't believe what you see."
*He places a hand over his mouth as he ponders his own fears. Well, really the one fear that plagues him. He realizes that he may have made a fool of himself in front of Vyth's family with his breakdown. As he runs his fingers down his "beard". He can't help but wonder whether he is truly going over his head with this trip. Surely her family thinks he's nuts.*
"You mention a Guardian. Is it an aspect of Chronepsis itself or more of an ancestral guardian?"
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 22, 2022 22:21:50 GMT
Ornisk nods, "see, smell and hear" she adds.
She watches him carefully eyes seeing more than she'll admit to.
"Of a sort yes, it looks like a great wyrm Amethyst dragon, but at the same time it's...it's like no dragon I've ever seen. It almost resembled a dracolich in a way but..I could have sworn it breathed" she turns her fingers in Martivir's spines a little more. He doesn't make a noise of complaint, though it's clear she had been scared at the time and the memory still unnerves her.
Vythmiirik herself makes her mother more tea.
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 22, 2022 22:50:56 GMT
"And this guardian spoke to you. So I take it there is a way to get past it without having to fight it. I hope it doesn't involve answering a riddle. I'm not good at riddles."
*He chuckles in an attempt to hide his nerves though it likely does little. After a moment of silence he lets out a defeated sigh.*
"Tell me, how high on the scale of crazy would you put my goal at?"
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Post by Vythmiirik on Jan 22, 2022 23:26:38 GMT
"It will not involve you in a riddle game do not worry about that. It's clever that is for sure and has some kind of arcane sight, it knew me just by looking at me. Which as you can imagine, was an experience I will never forget" Ornisk sighs and drinks some of the tea her daughter hands her.
She smiles as Sasco and sighs softly "To be honest, it is an admirable goal. But yes I think you have not thought it through too well. The wall is huge, it would take you thousands of years to destroy it and...it grasps. Though your goal is not quite as crazy as the one person I met who wished to pick a fight with the literal sun because as far as I understood it, they did not understand how the lines of latitude and longitude work." Ornisk tries to inject her own humour into the conversation, she hopes it will at least make her guest a little less nervous.
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sasco
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Posts: 85
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Post by sasco on Jan 22, 2022 23:42:48 GMT
*He bites his lower lip in an attempt to hold back laughter at the ludicrous idea but a small pfft could be heard from him despite the effort. He then sighs and stares into the cup, the tea within constantly rippling from his shaking hands.*
"I thought I had a plan. But as I speak to you and think about it, I can't help but feel that I have already lost and I only continue because of sunk-cost fallacy. I..."
*He puts the tea down on the table and folds his hands*
"I don't think I can keep going anymore."
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