thebastion | Day 148 // Open

Entry tags:

Day 148 // Open

Who: Paarthurnax and anyone who comes across him
Open: Open
When: Day 148
Where: Near the Monument
What: It's much easier to pick things up when you aren't a giant dragon.
Format: Whichever you want
Warnings: None!

By this point, most in the Bastion are no doubt used to Paarthurnax's routine. In the 'morning', he takes off for the Skyway to do some hunting and exploring, returning around 'noon'. After that, he's often found at the now named 'Dragonfield' across the river, or perched at the edge of the Bastion to keep an eye out towards the Skyway. Sometimes he gathers those who have shown interest in learning his language and holds quiet lessons by the river where the large stone is that he brought some time ago. Either way, he's always available for a talk.

Today there is just a slight deviation in his routine. Anyone passing by the Monument midday will see the large dragon doing his best to try and lift up what appears to be a set of black armor. Whatever it's made out of makes it shift strangely like forged shadow when one stares at it too long... The dragon himself doesn't seem to be paying such qualities any mind. He's just trying to delicately pick it up, alternating between nosing it along or so carefully using his mouth.

It's so hard being a large dragon in a world filled with all you tiny folks. So hard.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Drem yol lok, Paarthurnax.

T-that armor isn't the right size for you, is it? [A joke. Crona's comfortable enough around the dragon to let an unusual sense of humor shine through on occasion.]

[Paarthrunax pauses in his nosing to raise his head and look at Crona.]

Drem yol lok, Vokunsumah. My armor is my scales. This is a gift.

[Just... hold... on... He nudges it a bit more towards Crona.]

Krosis, there are no gloves.

Oh. Did you get socks too? [Crona is assuming it was the god's gift, but has no idea why Paarthurnax would get armor that's too small for him.]

D-do you want me to carry it for you?

[Crona, please. Paarthurnax tilts his head.]

It is not a gift from the Gods. It is a gift from myself, to you.

[Crona's thoughts stutter-stop, mind going completely blank for a long moment.]

F-f-f-f-

[for me? Crona can't even get the words out, just staring wide eyed at the armor. It's incredible.

Ragnarok, on the other hand, has an opinion.]

Holy shit! That's cool! What the hell did Crona do to earn that, huh?

[Oh hey Ragnarok, wondering when you'd pop up.]

Crona is a skilled student. For those I once taught, learning the Thu'um was enough, but this case is different. Armor is good and practical- it will help both yourself and the Bastion. I hope it fits you well, Vokunsumah.

I.... [for me.

A present just for Crona, and no one else. Just... just for this child. Just for this failing, broken, awkward child. No one else got any. Paarthurnax must have used his shards to buy this. For Crona.]

... really?

[Crona's voice sounds so small, a little noise, catching on a sob. And then the floodgates open, and Crona cannot stop crying. Hands come up to cover the meister's face, because Crona knows you're not supposed to cry when you receive a gift, but this is too nice.]

I... I don't know how to deal with...

[With this. With Paarthurnax. With someone so big paying so much attention to someone so small.

Ragnarok punches Crona on the head, but it's lighter than usual, almost affectionate.]

Say "thank you", moron! Then take it before he changes his mind and eats us!

... H-he won't eat us. Th-thank you. Thank you!

[People always reacted to gifts, one way or another. Paarthurnax had known that even before observing the festival, watching so many become elated or tearful when given something from the Gods. He hadn't known what to expect of Crona... But it's almost not surprising to see the young one break into tears. At the thanks given, the dragon merely leans down to press his head against Crona's fragile-looking body.]

I am glad you care for it. This is something you have earned.

[Earned. Crona... earned this. A reward for what? For being... for being Crona. Nothing special. A reward for being nothing special.

Too nice. Far too nice.

Crona's still sobbing, crying messy tears and pressing hands against the dragon's scales.]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Crona has never had anything so nice.]

[Paarthurnax stays where he is, letting Crona cry as much as is needed- just like before. If this is what helps, then it helps, and he is patient especially for one who he has grown fond of over this time.]

[Crona's sobs fade eventually, but the meister doesn't move away from Paarthurnax.]

Thank you.

[Then Crona looks up, wiping tears away with the threadbare cuff of a sleeve. The armor's still there. It's still there, still as beautiful as before.]

... it's like shadows.

Like... like my name. [The name Paarthurnax gave Crona.]

[As Crona pulls away, so does Paarthurnax although he still keeps his head low just in case his student needs something to hold onto again. At the observation, he gives a nod.]

Greh, I thought it would suit you well. The Dovahkin wore such armor when she first came to me on Monahven. It kept her warm. I desire that it will do the same for you.

I... I'm sure it will. [Crona cautiously steps closer, then reaches out like there's the possibility the armor will melt away before Crona can touch it.]

Thank you.

[This armor is capable of many things, but melting generally isn't one of them. It's still there, smooth and light to Crona's fingertips.]

Will you wear it to make certain? I wished for the Bastion to make it fit you, but I am unsure how well it did so.

[Sure, it looks like it fits, but this is the first time he's bought something like this from the Bastion.]

[Made specially for Crona. Made to fit Crona.

Even Crona's robes weren't made specifically for the meister.

Speaking of robes, that's going to make it difficult to put on the armor right here.]

I... I'll take it back to my room.

I shall wait here, then.

[The apartments aren't dragon friendly, after all.]

[The armor fits perfectly. It fits just like it should, laying over wide hips and flat chest and the long curve of Crona's spine. It's beautiful and strong and meant for Crona.

Gloves would have been better than the cowl, since the armor leaves pale, scarred arms bare and putting on the cowl makes Crona slightly scared of the reflection in the mirror. But those sorts of thoughts are the furthest thing from Crona's mind as the meister runs back out to Paarthurnax, helmet tucked under one arm.

After everything that's ever happened, Crona can still smile.]

It's perfect.

Thank you.

[Paarthurnax has drawn himself up straight, gaze watching the stars, when Crona finally returns. He looks down and gives an approving nod.]

That is good. Give me some time, and I shall make it complete. It would only be fitting. May it serve you well when you venture out onto the Skyway.

[Crona can't stop touching the armor, can't stop exploring the surface with slightly shaking fingers. It's overwhelming. This is Crona's now.]

I'll go out there now. I need to practice wearing it before we go looking for the next core.

Krosis, for I would go with you yet I find myself weary after my own return. Stay safe, Vokunsumah.

I will.

... Zu'u los rinik zonox, Paarthurnax.

Ful hi lost fun zey. Nu kujiir fos hi lost. Zu'u praag nid zuk kogaan, nunon hin unazom.

[Crona doesn't know how to communicate these feelings to the dragon. How do you say "thank you" enough to express yourself when your heart feels like it might burst from gratitude? Crona doesn't know.

One more press of hands to Paarthurnax's scales, and Crona heads off to the Skyway.]

If there's anyone who's been paying attention to Paar's routine, it's Colin. Paar's been a reliable traveling companion, a good sounding board, and most importantly, a good friend. Given his antics with Pyth's bull, he's going to need to rebuild a bit of trust among some of the population.

But he's got a project that needs to be taken care of, and without Paarthurnax, it's going to be a lot harder. So there he was, marching to the monument to meet up with Paarth.

"Paarthurnax, you got a moment?" Colin called out, grinning up at him.

There's a pause as Paarthurnax hears Colin call to him and he gives a slight snap of his jaws to reposition the armor hanging from his jaws. That makes speaking somewhat tricky, but he gives a slight nod to Colin to show he's listening. There's no rush to his own task, after all, so he's not too concerned.

"You need a hand with that?" Colin offered, and he started in on his discussion topic regardless of what Paarth might have indicated. The armor seemed like a personal project, so he'd be glad to help or leave it alone, however the dragon might indicate.

"So, now that the festival's winding down, I've had some time to scheme and plot. I really, really need to get back out to the observatory. We need to deal with that plant. And personally, I need to get into that hangar again to do some work," he explained. "Would you be up to joining me in a few days?"

Since Colin is offering, Paarthurnax does in fact set the armor down, especially since this looks as though he will need to participate properly in this conversation. The idea of returning to the observatory is not a strange one- they've already mentioned it in their talks at least once before.

As Colin finished, the dragon nods his head in agreement. "This is something we must attend to. Beyond supplies, there is the creature down in the depths we must deal with. Greh, I would be glad to do this with you."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it," Colin said, stepping back and smiling a little wider. "Getting there will take a while, but if I can salvage a vehicle out of the hangar, the return trip should take no time at all. And with that turret you brought me, I'm getting a much better grasp of Caeldonian tech."

He relaxed and kept looking up at Paar curiously. "But it does leave me wondering if there's anything we can do for you," he said. "You're doing so much for us, it makes me feel like I'm taking advantage of your generousity. And your skills."

Everything that is said is good to hear. The entire reason Paarthurnax brought back the turret was in hopes that it would aid the Bastion as a whole, and Colin has already shown how skilled he is with technology. Salvaging anything they can from the observatory will help them all. He has no doubt about that.

He's still thinking on what they might be able to bring back when Colin asks his question. There's a pause, and the dragon gives a shake of his head. "I want for little. I am long lived, and most of that life has been spent in isolation on the tallest mountain in Tamriel."

Colin noted the pause, and he crossed his arms and studied Paar. "May I ask you a potentially rude question?" he asked.

Edited 2014-01-15 05:47 (UTC)

"I could not stop you from it," is the simple reply. "Niid, I am not against it. What is it you wish to ask?"

Colin chuckled quietly and he uncrossed his arms. "So accommodating," he said cheerfully, before growing a little more serious. "Do the dragons of your world not have a hoarding instinct? As I said, it is a rude question, but where I'm from, every dragon I know collects... something. Quite religiously, in fact. Be it money, art, cookware, people, or something else entirely. It's puzzling me to see you wanting for so little, especially when people want to give you so much in thanks."

"Do they?" Paarthurnax sounds more curious than anything. It's always interesting to know that there are others of his kin, yet different whether in from, such a Ryu, or habit, such as what Colin tells him now.

"Once," he begins to explain, "my kind ruled over Taazokaan. We possessed much, then. However, I would not say it was for any desire to hoard. It was merely a symbol of power, and to keep much out of the hands of those we wished to keep under us. It would not be unusual for some of my kin to have manifested a desire to hoard... But I do not believe it common, niid. I have dedicated myself only to my Thu'um, now, and need only that."

A pause.

"And mammoths." What? A dragon has to eat, alright?

Colin nodded, listening as Paar explains. He was still trying to get a feel for their interactions. That's mostly so he can avoid looking tasty with barbeque, but it was good information to have.

"I see," Colin said. "I know three of the dragons' tastes, myself. It's handy to have something for them if you want to butter them up. My wife's father loves black gems, and black stonework. His sister? Musical instruments and antique furniture from ages past. Our friend Filia, on the other hand? She collects tea sets."

He smirked wryly. "One of the few things even I'll never do is mess with their hoards," he added. "It's one of the surefire ways to drive them to murderous rage."

Stonework, music and things from the past, and tea sets... Paarthurnax gives a thoughtful nod. "Interesting. I cannot imagine being able to collect so many things... There would be no proper place with which to put them."

"I do so wish I had a pad, to show you the temples of Draconis," Colin said in amusement. "Buildings built by dragons, for dragons. Impossibly huge, defying all engineering reason for the age in which they were built. Absolutely beautiful architecture, too."

He looked around the Bastion, eyeing the Monument, and frowned. "We'll need to bring in a LOT more ground before I could even hope to build a home in your size," he said, his mind clearly racing off on another tangent.

Colin...

"I am content where I am," Paarthurnax states calmly. "A mountain would be preferable, but it is nothing that bothers me."

"You really do make it hard for a guy to spoil you," Colin commented, giving Paar a pleased smirk just the same. "You know that, right?"

He just wasn't going to mention that he now had plans to build a mountain, right after he got a few other projects off the ground.

Just an amused chuff from his nostrils. "To be in the company of so many and have such conversations is precious enough to me." The Greybeards were good company, but they viewed him more as teacher than friend. It's a relief to be able to speak so freely with so many different individuals.

"Conversation is certainly easy enough to provide, and I enjoy it myself," Colin said. "But I doubt you'll ever get me to stop trying to technologically update you."

His tone was friendly, as always. May it was even a little teasing. He knew that people were more comfortable with their own technological levels, but that didn't change the fact that he knew that there could be so much more done if people just knew what sort of technologies were available to them.

"So long as you focus on more important matters to give your attention to first," he replied, just as good natured. He's already come to the acceptance of the simple fact that Colin is a creator. This is his passion, and such things must be let out.

As long as he wasn't reckless with it, at any rate.

"Don't worry," Colin said. "If I..."

He paused and shook his head.

"Let me just abort that joke right there," he continued. "Fusion humor and accidental critical load breach punchlines have their time and place, but usually not among people who aren't exposed to the scientific process behind it. Don't worry, my main projects are well in hand, leaving me with plenty of time for side projects."

Yes, this sort of thing is bound to keep happening.

"Thank you for taking into consideration my lack of knowledge for such things," Paarthurnax said. He was honest about it as well. At least Colin was trying to keep in mind those around him. "May your projects go well, then. Your skills have much to offer the Bastion."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Day 148 // Open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject