Welcome to the Winter Wonderworld!

[dray]

⫸ WORLD: A crystalline pocket dimension
⫸ AGENCY: Shared
⫸ LOCATION: See above
⫸ EVENT: The Winter Gather Exchange!
⫸ NOTES: This is a general info post and a place to RP with one another and with the host, the enigmatic Noya Fosse


Part I: Arrival
You find yourself drifting off to sleep, or perhaps merely daydreaming, with the faintest sensation of a cold breeze tickling the back of your neck. Then, as darkness subsumes you, you feel the brush of hundreds of heavy flakes of the most beautiful, crystalline snow. This snow glints in all the colours of a frozen rainbow, prisms of sourceless light that blind you until you push your way forward into... into what, exactly?

The place you arrive is nothing like home: a frozen den of sharp pillars of ice support a mirror-smooth roof. Like the court of a powerful ruler, this place is fit to impress. Treasures of every kind and shape are frozen below the floor and along the walls: look but don't touch, please! The main hall is artfully littered with places to sit for creatures both large and small, and to one side is a never-ending buffet of cold and hot food (and drinks, and of course you know there are marshmallows) attended by little icy creatures not completely unlike flitters.

But what takes your first impressions and blows them away is the owner of this odd little place. A sinuous dragon of crystalline grace rests upon a raised dais on a throne molded of snow. Her scales seem to reflect the globes of light gently shining down on the room, and she is currently in deep conversation with a very furry creature made, it seems, to exist only in the deepest cold.

A chubby little flitter wings over to you (or perhaps it's a small fleet) with a pelt of heavy fur.

::Welcome to the Winter Gather! Noya chose you to partake in her riches and get to know one another. The Nexus is back! The Nexus is back!::

That thought fades from your mind as the flitter scoots off to its next duty, though it sounds like a triumphal cheer.

Welcome to the Winter Gather, it seems. What do you do next?


Part II: The Revelation
(To be posted on December 19th! For now, feel free to post a mingle starter and tag others, get to know them, etc!)

Comments

Petitioning the Queen

[dray]

Noya Fosse, the crystalline dragon and the host of this Gather, is receiving guests. She drapes over her snow throne and nods her head for you to come forward.

:: Speak and I shall do my best to answer, :: she says, lilting tone underscored by a deep rumble.

Re: Petitioning the Queen

[kinrrataiyath]

Bane strode behind Thayer as the young heir sauntered into the crystalline cavern as if the entire ordeal had been planned in his honour. As Thayer smiled and waved and greeted everyone with the lordly grace of a prince, Bane examined his surroundings.

A woman in what looked to be silk pajamas greeted everyone by asking them to pinch her. A large, fluffy dragon looked very irate to be here, though Bane was certain he hadn't seen sign of the dragon's landing in the snow outside. Other than the crystalline dragon who lounged imperiously on a throne at the heart of the gathering and her attendants, everyone here seemed a little... off.

"Thayer, how, exactly, did you come to hear of this gathering," Bane asked.

"Hmm? Oh. It was a letter or something."

"A letter from whom?"

Thayer looked back at his elder sibling and scowled.

"A... ah... well I assume the host," the heir answered with a vague wave in the direction of the dragoness.

Bane did not look impressed by the answer.

"A letter. I get the sense that no one else here received a letter."

"You're being paranoid," Thayer scoffed.

"There is a woman in her pajamas."

Thayer's steps slowed and he ran a hand back through his short, golden blonde locks. He scratched at his goatee and straightened his tunic, and when Bane's temper grew short enough that he was about to demand an answer, Thayer made a motion as if spooling the truth out from a spindle.

"I... may have popped in before. Unexpectedly. And not by choice."

Bane stopped on the spot.

"You were pulled here."

"Just briefly! Once I saw what was going on, a quick plane shift and I was home again. Nothing complicated." Thayer turned and held his hands up in a pleading gesture to his brother. "Listen, I knew you would be upset if I left you behind, so I came back for you! I was being thoughtful."

"I am your bodyguard. I should know where you are at all times."

"Exactly! See? I was responsible and I came straight to you. And now we're here and we should enjoy it."

Bane drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Sometimes Thayer made it exceedingly difficult to be patient. Sometimes Bane thought it might be easier if he just... walked away. Let Thayer deal with the consequences of his own bad decisions. Bane opened his eyes and let out his breath. He would never do that. Not to Thayer.

"Just remember the main rule."

"Rule?"

"The one rule that supercedes all other rules. The rule that keeps us from going to war with the other princelets. The rule your mother is enforcing with absolute strictness to the point of banishment. No more dragons are to return to the Warren."

"Oh, that rule. Well, you don't have anything to worry about. We're just here for a good time." Thayer flashed his brother a brilliant smile, whirled around in a swirl of pale blue and gold cloak, and strode up to the throne of the crystalline queen.

Bane followed several steps behind, and behind him came Stacruik, Baneo'Mybl, and Baaki'Virh. As Bane came within five feet of his charge, he drew up short and clasped his hands behind his back in a show of relaxed attentiveness. Stacruik moved out of the corner of his eye, his lithe blue form stepped forward to overshadow his bond.

"My lady Queen," Thayer greeted Noya Fosse in a voice pitched to be at once commanding and respectful. The heir to Lanutha swept low in a bow, showing as much deference to the dragoness in her home as was deemed polite without seeming to grovel. "I am pleased to introduce myself to you. I am Thayer Dragon-Audil, heir to Lanutha and the dragon throne, hailing from Tris'Hath. My stalwart companion is my brother, Bane Dragon-Audil. I offer my thanks for this wonderous gathering that you have invited us to."

Behind him, Stacurik swept his wings out and bent low over his forelimbs, his nose nearly touching the ground.

And I am Stacurik, bond to Thayer Dragon-Audil and future Dragon King of Lanutha. My companions are Baneo'Mybl the red and Baaki'Virh the violet. I greet you, great queen, and thank you for your hospitality.

[dray]

:: Be at ease, my esteemed guests, :: the lithe creature replied directly into their minds. With it came a sense of the drip of a frozen icicle, mild in itself but with the power to form the sharpest points.

She shifted slightly, the better for the glint of many colours to come across her hide, and turned her attention upon the little humans. :: My name is Noya Fosse, and I have some understanding of your home. I should like to invite you into mine tonight for feasting and merrymaking with some of the greatest minds between all the worlds. ::

Fanning a wing out, she added, :: the best that other worlds have to offer, in any case. I understand it may be strange to find yourself in another world, but let me be the first to assure you that you are safe here, :: a glimpse to Bane, :: and you are free to try anything you like, so long as you are willing to keep the peace. ::

[kinrrataiyath]

Thayer repressed a small shiver at the touch of the queen's mental tones. Everything about this dragoness dripped with chill beauty. There was certainly something ethereal about her icy realm, but the heir still hadn't gotten used to the cold.

"Your invitation is accepted with grace and joy," Thayer replied. "We are here only to share in the entertainment you have provided. We have no intentions of disturbing the peace. Thank you again, great queen, and I hope to speak to you more as the evening progresses."

Once again Thayer bowed. Behind him, Bane offered the dragoness a short but respectful inclination of his head. He brought no weapon with him to this event, but Bane was fully aware of the image he portrayed. Nor was he any less dangerous without a sword at hand. He would need to be mindful not to upset Noya Fosse's guests.

The two humans stepped away and headed back toward the crowds. Meanwhile, the three dragons moved off to the side to observe and enjoy the gathering from a distance.

This place is... unique, Stacurik remarked openly. He made no effort to lock down his mental voice, which was as much of an invitation to join into a conversation as the blue could offer.

It's cold, Baneo grumbled. The red hunched close to his sister, his scarred hide and deep scowl giving him all the appeal of a lurking gargoyle.

Winter generally is, Baaki replied. She shifted a little closer to her brother and gave him a playful nudge. You should move around a bit, Baneo. It'll warm you up.

I would rather not. There are too many little bipeds running about. I would step on someone, Baneo said. I will stay right here and be cold.

And we shall hear all about it, Stacurik chided.

[dray]

:: There is no need to suffer overmuch, :: Noya interjected, head turned towards the trio, though her gaze was heavily hooded and her done dry.

:: The ledges above should suit you quite well, creature of fire. ::

She waved a wing and, wildly it seemed, the icy wall overhead melted away, revealing a chamber previously hidden. In it, a swarm of flits was dragging all sorts of detritus. Branches, logs, in one case an ancient portrait, a rolled up, threadbare rug... all onto the pyre that another flit was happily belching upon it. To creatures like dragons, it was a nice little camp-fire to warm the toes. To a human, it would seem a bonfire.

And flits were coming and going, adding more fuel to the flames as they were able to haul it.

[kinrrataiyath]

Baneo did not often look impressed. The scar dividing his face diagonally from jaw to eye ridge gave him a permanent scowl. Yet as the ice melted away to reveal a toasty fire, the red wore an expression of pleasant surprise.

:: That'll suit me fine indeed, :: he said as he stalked away from his companions. Baneo crouched down, wings flaring wide, then launched himself up with two solid flaps until his claws curled around the lip of the opening. He hauled himself in, shooing flits away like insects before his feet.

:: Move aside, little one. Let me take care of that. :: Baneo sucked in a deep breath, the air hissing down his throat, then belched a short, crimson ball of flame onto to the fire. As the flames leapt high, greedily taking in all the kindling offered, Baneo sat himself down with a satisfied sigh and stretched his forelimbs towards the blaze.
:: Now that is pleasant. ::

On the ground below, Stacurik dipped his head in a respectful bow to Noya Fosse.

:: Thank you for your kindness, queen. His temper may be sour, but he is a dear friend and brother to me. None of us are accustomed to the cold. We come from a place of tropical heat. ::

:: You know... :: Baaki closed off her mental threads so that they reached only the blue beside her as she sidled closer. :: It's not often we have some time alone. We could go for a walk. Take in the sights. ::

The reaction from Stacurik was a blast of giddy delight, panic, and guilt that washed out like a wave from his normally controlled mental bands. He clamped down on his emotions quickly, casting a glance beyond the violet eyeing him coyly to the two humans mingling with the other party goers.

:: Ah... Our bonds. They're right... I mean they're so close. ::

:: I was only suggesting a stroll, :: Baaki retorted, her tones still light and playful. She gave Stacurik a light nudge with the tip of her muzzle, then stood and slunk forward with feline grace to bow before Noya. :: Thank you again for your hospitality. I believe I will take some time to admire the beauty of your realm. ::

As Baaki moved off deeper into the crystalline cavern, Stacurik hung his head and released the sigh of a doomed man.

[dray]

The crystalline queen raised her head, giving a kind of regal permission. ::Be well and prosper. Your world and ours is opening to new possibilities. Don't you think it's time to be open to others presented before you?::

[kinrrataiyath]

Stacurik inclined his head toward the queen on her throne.

:: Were it that simple, :: he said. :: The bond we share with our riders is at once a beloved tie and a manacle. We cannot indulge in our interests for fear of what harm it would cause them. It is better if she... and I... allow this opportunity to pass. She will have many other suitors. She is beautiful. ::

The words trailed off as Stacurik stared after the violet dragoness now meandering the back corners of the halls, her neck stretched up to give her a better vantage from which to see the sparkling, multi-facetted crystals all around. The light they cast off dripped across her scales and gave her an ethereal light all her own. And Stacurik drooped once more.