Post by Orianna Èirigh on Oct 21, 2022 8:28:11 GMT
Taking place directly after ‘Through the Fire & Flames’
🌟 Cowritten with the infinitely the noble Lucky , the infinitely creative Charlie (DM) , and ever wonderful Gerhard 🌟
The night is muted, the sky a sombre, inky black as the group returns to Daring Heights. After returning to Portal Plaza, Lucky nods a thank-you to the bleary-eyed portal attendant, who goes through the motions of ushering them off the platform, even though nobody else is likely to come through at this hour.
He bids goodnight to Silvia, Amble and Ylana. Everybody seems in the mood to disappear silently back to their lodgings. Then he turns to Orianna, frowning. There is an uneasy balance of guilt and concern in his eyes.
“May I walk you back, Orianna? I know it’s a strange hour, but I’m not at all tired and after tonight, I don’t think I’ll be sleeping any time soon.”
“I would be glad for the company,” the young tiefling says with a nod.
They set off towards the Dawn Quarters — the apartments and houses that many scholars of the Academy call home. They pass the golden, opulent temple to Waukeen, the lights of the ever-burning flames in their sconces dimmed a little for the hour. Orianna says nothing as she leads the way, past two of the Quarters to a third, when she brings out a heavy door key that would open the main entrance.
Lucky has also stayed silent as they walk. When they arrive at the door, he breaks it with a heavy sigh.
“Orianna.” He turns to face her square-on and he presses his paws together in front of him. “I feel awful about tonight. I’m sorry I manhandled you. When that warlock’s dark magic hit us, I saw you stagger, and I got scared. But you are more than capable of thinking clearly, and I ought to have trusted you. I’m so sorry.”
“What? Oh, Lucky, no, I-” The words get caught in her throat. “I was- I should have- I-” But they wouldn’t come. It was all jumbled in her head, unable to get past her tongue as Silvia, the passionate and headstrong woman she had only just met, clangs around in her mind as if she still grips her.
“I’m the one that should be sorry. I-… I was reckless. I made you worry. I distracted you, which meant you threw yourself into harm’s way because of me. I should have listened to S-Silvia.”
Torchlight flickers across his face as he glances back down the road they have walked, almost as if expecting to see Silvia there. “When she exploded at you, she was… right and wrong, I suppose. Right in that she did speak honestly from her heart, and I understood why — it doesn’t take much to understand why she spoke with such passion. But wrong because despite her experience and considerable warrior skills, she made a call without reading your heart in the moment. These attacks, this theft of the Heart’s power, these awful deaths… we have to stop them and that is what drove you."
He is speaking gently, but firmly, and something of the poet resonates in his voice. “You stood your ground against the warlock. You fought bravely with everything you had. You are so resourceful, and you can do all kinds of clever things with magic. I wish I’d given you the choice.”
Orianna shakes her head. “You were worried and… had things gone wrong, even worse than they had, it may have been my body and not my hand you were holding as we left…” She looks down, guilt and embarrassment making her voice very quiet. “You did what any father would.”
She blushes, suddenly feeling she might have said too much. Shifting on her cloven feet, she looks up to the sky. The stars are there, she feels them, but the torchlight blocks them from view.
Being described as paternal makes the elder tabaxi blink once with surprise. Then a misty sheen fills his eyes. He shrugs fondly at Orianna, as if to acknowledge that yes, there is no way he could ever stop his heart from feeling deeply protective of her.
“I’m-”
An unexpected yet familiar voice cuts through her mind, making Orianna stop.
“Ah, Orianna. The egg… something’s happening. You should come, soon… It might be hatching? I don’t know, I’ve never seen a dragon be hatched? -born?” Gerhard’s voice is cut off as the sending ends.
She gasps. Then Orianna is jamming the front door key into the lock, turning it, then pushing open the door.
“The little one, they’re stirring! It may be time!” She holds the door open, turning to look back at Lucky expectantly.
Seeing her gasp at the message from Gerhard, Lucky’s eyes sparkle excitedly. By some subtlety of his courtly manner, he acknowledges her invitation by giving a bow that appears both polite and informal at the same time. He steps inside, and with a hushed whisper but barely restrained excitement, he says, “I can’t wait! Show me!”
The young tiefling smiles, nods, and leads the way up to the very top floor.
“Imi-ib! I’m home,” Orianna calls out as she opens the door to their shared apartment. “Lucky is with me.” She gestures for the tabaxi to come in, closing the door behind her. “What’s happening? Is the egg okay?”
“Orianna?” Gerhard turns to face the door, a wave of relief relaxing his shoulders as he locks eyes with his beloved. “Oh thank Tymora, that was fast. I was worried I’d have to open a Doorway.” As he turns, the thick, far-too-big apron that he wears beats at his ankles, twisting on his torso to reveal the writing on the front: “If You Can’t Take The Heat, Get Out Of Avernus.” He tries to raise his right hand to brush the hair out of his face, but the thick, woollen glove that he wears there gets in the way, and he looks at it with a sheepish grin. He grips the glove between his opposite arm and side, removing it before reaching out a hand in greeting. “Sorry. The last dragon I met left me a bit… warm. Lucky. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Please come in!”
Lucky beams with instant pleasure and shakes Gerhard’s hand enthusiastically. “The pleasure is all mine, Gerhard! You must be tremendously excited.”
He turns to address both of them at once. “Please, if there is anything you need, I can get it. No matter the hour, I will fetch supplies or bring anything you ask for… I'm sure you do not want to miss a single moment of this.
Gerhard turns to the middle of the room where a basket lies, a layer of blankets protecting the precious egg that lies in its middle. As he turns to look, it wobbles, shaking back and forth. He turns his head back, pointing with his gloved left hand, the forgotten right glove falling to the floor of the apartment. “Orianna, did you see that? I think it's ready!”
The egg is glowing as if someone had cast the light cantrip on it. As it wobbles back and forth, Orianna realises that she has a slight feeling in her stomach, almost a nervous energy, an anxiety that is not her own.
“Oh!” she exhales, the sound of her voice strange as she tries to figure out what are her feelings and what are theirs. She rushes over, her tail giving a quick hug-like caress to Gerhard’s leg before she comes to kneel down beside the egg.
Lucky watches them turn to the egg, and as it glows, his pupils dilate with wonder. Not wanting to crowd them, he moves to the side so he can observe not just the egg, but the captivated couple watching over it. He lets slip a single purr.
Softly, in a whisper Orianna says, “I’m here, little light, I’m here. You don’t need to be scared. We’ve got you. As long as it takes, I’ll be here. Gerhard too. It’s alright…”
There is a feeling of relief from hearing her voice. But behind that feeling is an anxiousness, a hesitation, as if the egg is waiting for… something. Orianna continues to say soothing words to it, placing her hands on the smooth crystal surface of the egg, feeling the life within reach up from the other side to touch her and growing brighter with each word she utters.
But the anxious feeling persists and Orianna begins to worry. This new life is trying to say it needs something, a gift of some kind, only then can it be free to be born. Is there something she must do? A spell she needs to cast to make it easier for the wyrmling to be born? But even as she thinks this the presence in her mind seems to shake its head, as if saying she is overthinking the solution.
Perhaps it is because of the late hour, or it is the events of the day. She was already very tired, emotionally and physically drained in more ways than one. Orianna is nearly in a panic as she tries to figure out the answer. But then it comes to her, suddenly, like a burst of light and she feels silly for not realising it sooner. She smiles, laughing at herself even as she shakes her head.
“If now is your time then I welcome you with open arms…” she says, resting her forehead against the gem dragon egg and closing her eyes. “Valethra.”
There is a flood of excitement and relief that comes from the egg. The light emanating from the crystal begins to glow brighter and brighter almost to the point where everyone present must avert their eyes. After a few seconds of this light filling the room there is a loud cracking sound.
Several small chirping sounds come from where the egg had been. Orianna feels whatever connection she had with it, solidifies and strengthens. This presence takes root in her mind, feeling comfortable and natural. Meanwhile, the egg- no, the hatchling’s joy and excitement is mixing with her own. As the light begins to fade Orianna, Gerhard and Lucky see a small figure sitting where the egg once was.
“Hello. Hi.” A breathy laugh escapes her as Orianna opens her arms. “Are you hungry, Valethra? Shall we- Oh!”
In the way a new fowl tries to stand up, the baby crystal dragon tries to flap her wings but only manages to fumble and nearly fall into Orianna’s lap instead. Orianna catches the baby dragon before her tiny crystal horns could get stuck in the wooden floor. There’s a purring chirp from Valethra as she claw-climbs up into the tiefling’s arms, nuzzling close to her bosom.
Orianna looks up at Gerhard, bright tears in her eyes as she smiles in pure amazement. Gerhard slowly pulls the loop of the apron over his head, casting it aside with the mitts as he falls into a crouch behind Orianna, a gentle hand coming to rest on her shoulder. While the dragon has her full attention, she has his; the sparkle of her eye and the brightness of her smile filling his heart with joy. He gives her a squeeze, a small tear of his own beginning to slip down his cheek and into his beard.
“This is- I-... I have no words!” She looks over at Lucky.
Lucky breaks out of the spell that has been holding him. He blinks and wipes his eyes. He glances up from Valethra to Orianna and Gerhard. “It looks like she’s very much taken with you, Orianna.”
He leans in over Valethra, and as the tiny dragon wriggles to get a better look at him, he kisses his pawpads and gently touches them to her forehead. “You’re beautiful, aren’t you?” His voice is a hoarse, trembling whisper.
He smiles fondly at Orianna. “Looks like you’ll have even more opportunity to practice your Draconic now.” Suddenly, he straightens up a little. “Oh! That reminds me. I have a little something I could say for her now… if that’s alright with you.” He looks down at Valethra, indicating that on some level, whether she understands his words, it is still her acknowledgement that he is requesting.
The little dragon extends its neck, nostrils flaring as if smelling the words Lucky has just spoken in the air, curiously.
He glances at Gerhard and Orianna to explain briefly. “This is an ancient form of Draconic. It is not really a prayer, not really a nursery rhyme. It’s more like…” he subconsciously touches the dragon medallion at his neck “…more like a traditional welcoming message.”
He clears his throat. Under the low, flickering light of the room, he kneels solemnly in front of the dragon. Her crystalline form is iridescent and her shifting colours reflect in his eyes. He places his paws on his lap and speaks in Draconic, intoning in a gentle voice that rumbles low and deep within his chest.
Noble Valethra, Queen of Earth, Sea and Sky,
We welcome your majesty, that you may rise and spread your wings.
We welcome your insight, and the gifts of knowledge you impart.
We welcome your power, that you shall wield it generously as you live.
We welcome your wisdom, that others seek your counsel in all things.
We welcome your beauty, for you will capture every heart.
We welcome your love, for whatever you receive, in abundance may you give.
As he finishes, his voice cracks a little. He remains silent for a moment, locking eyes with Valethra with an expression of joy and adoration.
“Raaawr!”
The exclamation is so tiny, the voice of a baby, but Valethra’s smile is unmistakable. Her tail flicks back and forth as she pushes herself up and out of Orianna’s arms a little, half closing her eyes in what the tabaxi can clearly tell is delight.
“She really enjoyed what you said, Lucky,” Orianna says, her eyes wide with amazement, like she’s listening to someone else speak. “She-” Valethra glances back at Orianna making a softer chirping growl sound. “She says… thank you, noble heart,” she repeats in halting Draconic.
Lucky’s smile widens, and his tail flicks in astonishment as he looks at his student. “You can understand her? What an enormous gift!” He switches back to Draconic and addresses the young dragon deferentially. “You honour me with your words, great one. Know that your bond-partner is very dear to me, and that I watch over her to the best of my ability.”
After being lost for a time in reverence and paternal bliss, Lucky stands and addresses Orianna and Gerhard warmly. “You both have your work cut out now. The gift of a dragon in your lives is a precious thing, but also a great responsibility. But let me know if there is anything I can help with. Anything.”
His expression becomes serious briefly. “Orianna, I think we still have things to discuss. But perhaps not tonight?”
Valethra looks at the tiefling as her smile fades, Orianna’s expression taking on a similar serious tone. “Hmm, yes. Let us meet here for lessons perhaps? Not tomorrow — it is already so late… But the next day.” The small wyrmling pats her clawed hand against Orianna’s chest as a small ringing sound emanates from her. Orianna holds her closer, muttering a small reassurance. “I’ll tell you everything I haven’t been able to yet.”
“The day after tomorrow sounds perfect. Same time as usual. In the meantime, I am certain Cornelius will send word if there is anything urgent. He trusts you, Orianna. He knows you’ll do the right thing. And,” he reaches a single digit down for Valethra to boop him as mightily as she can, “if you share it, I’m sure he’d be thrilled to hear of your new arrival.”
Orianna smiles at Valethra who makes a sloppy swipe at Lucky’s single digit, before Orianna raises her up to have her snoot boop it instead. The baby crystal dragon blinks in surprise, a soft glow manifesting on the horn between her eyes. It makes the tiefling giggle, which is what she focuses on, instead of the sliver of apprehension at the prospect of telling the First Cleric about the new light in her life.
Lucky steps to the door and looks outside. “Hmm. It’ll be morning before long. Catch some sleep whenever you can… you’re going to need it.” He winks at Orianna and Gerhard, and nods farewell.
The two lovers share a look, before looking down at the baby crystal dragon, who is looking up at them, full of energy and beautiful life.