[Quest] To Make a Request [Open]

Vikram
May 4th, 2012 at 10:39pm

From the lava coated sides of the Veins of the Gods, Vikram had turned
his flight ever upward even as he soared over the terrain that lay
between the site of his departure and his desired destination. There
was somewhere he needed to be, someone he had to find. And in the
lofty heights of the Heavenly Fields was where he would find her. This
matriarch from whom he would have to make his request.

Soon though he could see the emerald expanses breaking through the
cloud cover, soaked in sunlight as they ever were. Leathery wings
tilted, spilling the air that filled them and granted him the greatest
heights, and he spiraled downward until his hooves pressed heavily
into the turf. Spurred tail briefly dug into the grasses as well, for
his descent had been more rapid than his last approach here. There
were none to be cautious of this time... that he could see.

Flipping his wings closed the hybrid gave voice to a deep rumble that
fell somewhere between a neigh and a roar, then called out. "I humbly
seek the matriarch of these lands, to ask of her one thing." Then he
grew still and silent, ears pricked and slitted eyes watchful as he
waited for some sort of response.

---

Random Event
May 4th, 2012 at 10:57pm

You called, and she answered.

A rumbling starts in the earth, shaking the grasses of the field and
making a peculiar noise. There is no other sight of movement, though,
as the air seems to remain peaceful and the clouds unperturbed. Even
the animals visible in Vikram's scope do not pay heed to the quaking,
and that should be calming, at least.

Underneath the Earth, the matriach awakens. She loosens herself from
the dirt and begins shuffling her large body toward the surface,
toward the origin of the call. When her head breaks the surface,
Vikram might be surprised to find that he is staring into a pair of
feline eyes much like his own, only a majestic shade of violet - the
color of royalty. The large dragon pulls herself from the earth,
shaking out her expansive wings and sitting poised in front of the
hybrid.

Her scales are a gleaming gold, which almost seem to mimic the color
of the Sun God. The dragon's talons look to me fashioned of a gleaming
obsidian and awfully sharp. She is larger than even most of her color,
stretching an impressive four feet. Her form is regal, with an aged
and wise face to match. The mother of a long line of metallic dragons,
with the loving nickname of the Matriarch.

"Hello," she says, quite clearly in Vikram's mind. "What do you wish
to ask me, halfling?" Her purple eyes look curious but cunning,
nonetheless.

---

Vikram
May 4th, 2012 at 11:18pm

Another rumble, deep and low, answered him first. It seemed to
originate deep beneath his hooves, and he tilted ears and head alike
toward the ground, golden eyes seeking the origin of the sound even as
he became aware that none other than himself seemed at all perturbed
by the rumbling... and then she appeared.

Violet eyes, slitted like his own, gazed back at him from a face of
golden scales. He knew immediately that this was the Matriarch, even
before she drew the rest of her body from the earth that had cradled
her. Though he knew it was unfair, he found himself comparing her
against Akaith for a moment before he abruptly shuttled those thoughts
away. Both were incredible in their own way, and he mentally left it
at that.

Just in time, for her mind touched his, voice clear in his thoughts.
Questioning. Bowing his head to her, he spoke. "I wish to ask you for
the shells of your children, enough that the Sun God might grant me
the firey breath that you and my mother's kin possess. But I know that
you might have a request of your own for me in return." His voice had
grown low and quiet again, into the levels he was most accustomed to.

---

Random Event
May 5th, 2012 at 11:21am

The golden dragon listens to Vikram's request, with no hint of a
surprise taking on her features. Just the same curious and cunning
expression she had worn previous to his answer, except the gleam in
her purple eyes shifts. The matriarch's eyes have gears turning behind
them, as she thinks about what she can possibly get out of the hybrid
that has come to her, seeking her egg shells for his own personal
gain.

The Sun God had sent him here for a reason, she thinks, the large
dragon peering at Vikram for some time. He knew that she would not
free any object in her hoard so easily, but the bastard little sun
prince was using her to think up a quest for him. How very naughty.
The dragoness did not appreciate being used like a pawn in his game,
but he was correct in thinking she was probably the only one who held
enough shells to be gathered in one stop. While the dragon loathed to
think the deity was being honest, perhaps he just wanted this to end
quickly.

"The shells of my children are the strongest in the land," the dragon
begins, looking at Vikram thoughtfully now. "However, they are
precious to me, and I see no reason to hand them over to you, simply
to allow you to play dragon." Her eyes narrow, and she shifts her
head, a crown of horns, to look out over the field. The true reason
she detested the idea so much was not this poor lad's fault, and that
made her feel guilty in the pit of her maternal heart. "Nonetheless,
you have sought me out, child, and I will help you."

"You must bring me something I would value to hold in my personal
treasure trove, in replacement of these valuable shells. If you offer
me something I already have, I will decline your trade, and you will
have to seek out something else," her words come to a close and she
nods at you, her eyes bright with hope. Perhaps this stallion can
bring her something even better than her precious egg shells that
glimmer like shiny metals.

---

Vikram
May 5th, 2012 at 11:29pm

She listened, expression unreadable, and when she spoke again it was
only to confirm his expectations. Nothing came free, not when the
giver could get something out of the requestor. That was simply how
the world turned. Only friendship could be freely offered, and even
that sometimes came with expectations.

There was only one bit that bothered him. 'Playing dragon'. In what
way was he 'playing' at half his heritage? It was really the only
thing he didn't have from his parents. His father's form, his mother's
wings and tail and scales and eyes... the only thing he didn't have
that mattered to him at all was breathing fire. Talons he could do
without. But fire... had always appealed.

He shrugged it away though, as she gave him a task to do in return for
the egg shells. Find something to replace them, that she hadn't
already. This interested him, and he inclined his head in acceptance.
"I shall do my best to find the best of whatever I might discover for
your pleasure, milady Matriarch." He wore a small smile. "I will take
my leave of you, if you would allow it, to go seek something
suitable." Already his thoughts were churning, but one idea lingered
near the surface. He could ask Mirage and Akaith what sort of things
might interest a queen. But he was already coming up with ideas of his
own, even as he begun to turn away. Lingering long enough to receive
her permission before departing the Fields and the Matriarch's realm.