Event - The White Dragon Travel Log

[bravenewmods]

[It's a lengthy journey even by air, that our intrepid heroes find themselves on. The veteran fliers set a quick, but not grueling pace at the suggestion of the Valkyries. Arriving to a battleground when a god had taken the field tired was not wise, they'd said, and who could really blame them? The prospect alone of facing down one of the beasts of legend would be enough to send most men fleeing in the opposite direction, but one who was working with a human? That was all the more reason to make sure that proper care was taken on the trek. And so for a day the party traveled, a caravan of birds, dragons, reptiles and the odd flying robot making steady time across the Rolling Plains before setting down at the north-eastern edge.

The curious would find that not far from where the tents were pitched, the green hills turned jagged, the land going from verdant to a sea of dark glass. Obsidian shards spiked upwards, spires gleaming in the moonlight like razor sharp teeth, setting an ominous tone for the evening's respite. Tents were pitched, fires were lit, and the more warlike companions even began a drum circle and dance. Valkyries and shirtless Calderan volunteers, a small number of visiting mages, and other more mysterious folks all curious to see the god and to help with the relief efforts. The camp, despite the circumstances, was at least a lively one.

And then came the final day.

Over the Obsidian Flats they went, the massive shapes of Boldore and Tyranitar visible even from up in the sky. And...further perhaps even more stunningly, a gigantic lake almost large enough to call an inland sea, sprawled out below. Rivers snaked out of it all around, and the water itself was a pure crystal blue. But perhaps the most awe inspiring sight of the whole journey came once they cleared the Flats and the area around Glacier came into view. An expanse of white, thick snow covering the ground this early in the year. Arctic forests cropped up here and there, snowcapped trees and a frigid looking river marring the perfect canvas beneath. And more Pokemon , of course. Gigantic Avalugg shook the ground below, and a new species plodded along, chewing amiably on the trees, largely unconcerned by the humans overhead, and the occurrences in the distance.

Along the coast a city was in flames, people streaming out of its ruined gates, desperately fleeing along the rivers before whatever it was came back. Smoke curled up along the skyline, burned hamlets and outlying settlements that'd already been destroyed.

It seems like they weren't too late, and it in the moment of respite there was a chance for our heroes to at least get their bearings and prepare for the Dragon God's return...]

[OOC: We will be opening some of these areas for bonding within the next few days for everyone who is taking part in the expedition.]

Comments

Camp 2

[untalented]

[One thing travelling had yet to instill in Waver was the ability to pitch a tent. Even with the insistent fussy help of his Vulpix and the height of the Amaura he had befriended when their group had explored the environs close to camp, he still had managed little more progress than a pile of sticks on the ground and a swath of canvas drapped over the confused Amaura's head.]

...Just that it's big, [he commented, pouting in his frustration with the tent. The Amaura, tired of pretending to be a ghost-type, threw the canvas to the ground with a shake of it's head. The Vulpix , tired of cleaning up, leaped back onto Waver's shoulders and started trying to bury herself in the hood of his coat.

Waver sighed, and tugged at the flaps of his hat to draw it tighter over his head.]

Have you heard anything?

[niepokonany]

[Feliks shrugged, stepping closer to Waver with a hot flame flickering upward out of the cupped palm of his hand. The cold, it seemed, didn't suit him at all, which was hardly surprising, since he was about as tiny as Feliks without the benefit of fire powers to warm himself up with.]

Big, white, and mad? Not a lot else, though. I was a little distracted when we had the chance to ask the people from Citadel and Glacier about it.

[There had been a lot of time dedicated to trying to explain things to Fai's parents once they found out their prodigal son was back, and to doctors making sure Fai was recovering, and then to lying curled up protectively around each other and... honestly mostly just talking through a year's worth of terrible feelings for the both of them, though he'd be a liar if he said some kissing wasn't involved.]

[untalented]

[Waver stepped closer to the flame, his face flushed with embarrassment. He was grateful for the warmth that the warmth that was provided, but the fact that he was still a poor traveller was an irritant that he just couldn't get passed.]

I was a little busy catching a fellow academic from Sanctuary up on Union's affairs. Just as well, too-- I think she's come along for this trip.

[With luck, Raine was faring better than he was.]

[niepokonany]

[He didn't say anything about Waver's travel skills, just held the fire out and huddled around it with him as they talked.]

How long can that take? "This is Union, they're a bunch of busybody weirdos but somehow they kinda make it work and the gods seem to either like them or hate them or maybe both, the end."

[untalented]

[He's incredibly grateful for the lack of teasing on Feliks' part. After facing a possible fine for needing help on his trek to Sanctuary, any neutral reaction was more than welcome.]

She's the sort who wouldn't be satisfied unless she's researched every option, and odds were that she was going to spend a day's worth of preparation in the library reading back-issues of the newspapers. I just didn't want her to waste valuable time studying if she didn't have to.

[niepokonany]

[Feliks shrugged his slim little shoulders, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes in spite of their situation.]

Or you just wanted to gossip about us. I'm on to you!

[untalented]

.....Why would I do something so uncouth, Feliks?

[He looked moderately insulted by Feliks' insinuation that he was a flighty ne'er do well who had no cares about propriety.]

[niepokonany]

[That look on Waver's face makes him laugh a little, and he bumps their shoulders together companionably.]

'Cause it's fun?

[untalented]

Eh. Maybe.

[He's been teased so often for one reason or another that he doesn't know how to take teasing done in good humor.]

[niepokonany]

...You know I'm just joking with you, right?

[Feliks has had enough of malicious teasing and of friendly teasing for the difference to feel clear to him, even when it isn't to others.]

[untalented]

[The ruddy glow to his cheeks deepened.]

...I don't have a witty reply for you.

[niepokonany]

[Another little shrug.]

No big, it's not like you have to have one.

...I can't promise I won't play with you like that sometimes, 'cause I'd break that promise in like five minutes, but like, tell me if I'm ever being a big jerk about it and I'll stop.

[untalented]

[Waver just tried to sink deeper into the thick layers of his coat, thoroughly embarrassed.]

Thanks. Let me know if I'm too serious, too-- I'm trying to adjust to Union's ways, but the local culture is very different from what I'm used to.

[niepokonany]

I'm not actually super sure if that's a Union thing or a me thing?

[untalented]

Trust me. As someone from Sanctuary? It's a Union thing.

[niepokonany]

[Feliks is quiet for a moment at that tone in his voice, then just bursts out laughing, shimmering brighter than Waver's ever had the chance to see him do with Fai's disappearance casting a pall over him for so long.]

Ok, I'll totally take your word for it!

[untalented]

[Blink.

He hadn't intended on that being a joke per-se, but Feliks' good humor without any forced gusto was worth seeing.]

You can ask a Calderan for a second opinion if you want, but they're just as wild as people from Union-- in a different way.

[niepokonany]

Oh, come on, how are we wild?

[Feliks used Baby-Doll Eyes!]

[untalented]

Well. Uhm. You see-- it's actually...uhm.

[Waver scratched his cheek, at a loss for words. How was he supposed to think with Feliks looking at him like that?]

[niepokonany]

[Feliks breaks down into giggles again. He'd apologize for abusing his power like that, but... he's not actually sorry at all.]

[untalented]

Eehh???

[Feliks. You are becoming more and more baffling every day.]

[niepokonany]

Come on~ I'm listening!

[untalented]

You're teasing again~!

[niepokonany]

...Am I being a jerk about it?

[No seriously, he has trouble telling.]

[untalented]

No. It's just confusing.