Welcome, New Scions.

[greatbeasts]

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Here, There Be Dragons

New arrivals: The dream you wake from is an unsettling one that feels like a memory. It sits out of place and too far forward in your mind, yet feels as real and clear as any other could be. It's the shadow of a massive creature blocking out the sun, skyline, or similar entity. A roar that shakes you to the core and and a feeling of dread and loss weighing heavy on you. Whatever the feeling or vision that comes across, it brings with it a sense that your world is no more. A voice, reassuring and almost motherly in nature urges you gently to wake from your sleep. Rise from the ashes, little one, The voice calls in a whisper of wind and crackling fire, There is need of you, yet. As the voice fades and the world of the waking returns to you, you are greeted with the sounds of faint bustling and the bounce of wooden wheels on stone or the sight of Upper Nuren's winding streets and open squares. A cloud passes by slowly near one of the stone pathway ledges and the sounds of nearby Touched and Remnants at work or leisure filter through the calm, cool air. Whatever you had previously been wearing or carrying has been replaced. You might now find yourself garbed in a cloth tunic, pants or shorts, robe, dress or skirt, and sandals or boots if you wore clothing. A sash around your shoulders or a belt at your waist contains a small but weighted purse of gold coins, enough to acquire some materials, new clothing or food from the market and craftsmen in the city. Current Scions: Concern over the mild Winter has begun to spread through the city. The chill air should have come with the nearing end of the harvest, and so far the weather remains only pleasantly cool. The air barely passes the gentle cool of Autumn. Nuren's citizens are spreading rumors that mountaintop ice and snow have begun to thaw, causing mudslides in the mountains. The thaw has displaced the Ice and mountain creatures, leaving them irritable and unpredictable. The sailors mention that the Frozen Shore has also begun to melt, and the waters around the Frozen Shore and the mountain areas have grown treacherous and unseasonably cold. Throughout the city, activity springs to more vibrant life, with Scholars of the Cycle of Life and Scholars of Knowledge claiming that Benra has blessed the city again, bringing more Scions to help protect the great city. The rumors put the city's citizens into higher spirits, and music fills the cool air, spreading from Lower Nuren both up and down the mountain.

The Heart of Nuren

After waking, a pull starts from within your chest, growing stronger with each passing moment until it becomes the only focus. It tugs insistently once, then twice. A need to follow the pull curls around and through you, urging you toward a wide and torch lit staircase that leads down into the heart of the mountain. The steps are wide and sturdy, and the further down them you travel, the clearer the call becomes until you can almost hear it. At the bottom of the steps, the large cavern beneath the city is revealed. The floor beneath your feet is warm to the touch, and the magic in the air calms your mind and fills you with a strange sense of safety and peace. No magic or harm can be done within the cavern. The cavern's floor is covered in circles of runes carved into the stone that surround small depressions in varying sizes, from a coffee cup's rim to that of a small circular table. Some of the depressions contain dormant dragon eggs of various colors, shapes and sizes. The runes surrounding them glow faintly with a magical light. Only the Scion who is bonded to the dragon within the egg can pass the runes.

Upper and Lower Nuren

Once you emerge from the cavern, the strange spell that fell over you fades. The bond between you and your egg or hatchling remains but your command of your own decisions and actions return and you are now free to explore, question and move about. The streets of Upper Nuren are sparsely populated with Remnants, Touched and other scions with their eggs or dragons. Questioning any of the citizens leads to a variety of answers. You are a Scion of the Great Beasts. You were brought to the city from the ashes of time and space by the Great Phoenix known as Benra and the Great Serpent known as Mouros. Pressing for more information will reveal that there are five Great Beasts. They are Benra the Phoenix, Chelba the Stone Giant, Renzu the Griffin, Mouros the Serpent, and Lysheu the Chimera. They are said to represent Mortality, Order, Knowledge, Time and Chaos. You are in the great Mountain City known as Nuren, and its people are the last remaining vestige of civilization on this wild and dangerous planet. The Touched and the Remnants share an alliance and work together to keep the city protected and its citizens alive and fed. According to these citizens of Nuren, you are here to help them defend the city, unite the remaining races and restore balance to the elements. Soon after the first Scions awake, the city begins to buzz with the news and gossip that more scions have arrived. The curious and braver citizens make their way to Upper Nuren to get a look, and the rumors spread like wildfire through the city that Benra has come again.

Outer Nuren

Although those rumors make their way to Outer Nuren, the citizens there show far less interest in making the long trek up to Upper Nuren. The unseasonably warm winter has done wonders for the fishing in the bay, and the docks are alive with intrepid fishermen and ship crews interested in making extra gold while the fishing is still good. The taverns fill with activity and the markets are livelier than ever in the hopes of selling more of their wares and merchandise before Winter's chill catches up with the passing seasons.

Evening

When night settles on the city, the taverns, inns and squares fill with curious citizens hoping to meet the new Scions or catch a glimpse of the Scions they have already managed to glimpse a few times before. Food is offered freely, as well as blankets to guard against the cool night air. The night sky fills with beautiful displays of magic from the Fire, Light and Energy Mages, the Osaaru equivalent of fireworks, though far quieter. Several Scholars in bright and colorful robes can be found approaching the new scions and older ones alike, offering to tell them more about the city, Osaaru and the Great Beasts. Mages of similar garb guide scions to the cavern homes, and help where they can in making the scions more comfortable. Small comforts of food, pillows, decorative crafts and other small tokens are offered to visible Scions by the citizens of Nuren in hopes of earning their favor and friendship.

Notes

Please direct Introduction questions to the Plotting Post Q&A As a Reminder: Bahemait is not one of the Great Beasts openly discussed or mentioned by the Citizens of Nuren who believe the Great Dragon is little more than an old legend. We would also like to emphasize that the Spirit energy within every resurrected character is required to use all magic in Osaaru, even that which is brought from their own world. The drain of powerful or excessive use of magic will lead to exhaustion.

Comments

Natasha Romanov | Marvel 616 | New

[redrooms]

A - Upper and Lower Nuren

[Everything Natasha knows is gone.

It isn't that she hasn't dealt with world ending disasters before, but they've always been averted. She's always been able to help stop them. This time, she can't even remember specifics, and now she's in another world, tasked with protecting the city. She's completely out of her element, all of her weapons gone and none of her friends here. Or at least, not that she can see—she looks desperately, combing through the crowd until she tells herself that she needs to get it together and figure out what the hell is going on. The citizens tell her bits and pieces, although some of them seem a bit taken aback by the intensity with which she questions them. She tries, very desperately, not to think of Matt or Clint or Tony or Steve. Or Bucky.

Finally, a few hours later, still cradling her egg in her arms, she starts to look for other Scions, keeping an eye out for anyone who looks just a bit too confused or, of course, anyone carrying an egg of their own. By now, Natasha has gathered herself and appears calm and collected. It's a front, of course. Safer to appear in control than as lost and grief stricken as she feels.]

Nice of them to make sure we fit in, hm?

B - Evening

[That night, Natasha wanders a little aimlessly, her egg tucked carefully away into a pouch on her belt. She endures the curious citizens patiently, a blanket draped over her shoulders, although she spends more time interrogating the Scholars than watching the fireworks. Even when she finally lets the last one escape her endless questioning, she still doesn't feel like she knows enough. This is possibly the biggest mess she's ever been in, and she's visibly frustrated now, nerves frayed.

In a tavern, one of the servers hands Natasha a plateful of food, but she only pushes it around with her fork. It's probably the fifth meal she's been offered that night, and while she doesn't want to offend anyone by refusing, there's no way she can eat it. Finally, she pushes the plate away, posture tense.]

a, upper nuren

[lullabytes]

They've all been very nice for as long as I've been here...

[ chiaki doesn't come off as confused so much as sleepy and a little airheaded, and she doesn't have an egg, either. but she has a small bird-like dragon hatchling in a sling - landia chirps happily as she peers around at the world outside her little abode - and that should be enough to mark her "scion". she seems calm herself, although it's not a front or anything of the sort. chiaki is just very gentle and easygoing in her own way, and she has acclimated to her surroundings. ]

It's easy to find a place to stay, and to fill it with things. Blankets and pillows. And lots of people are willing to feed you, which is nice...I'm not the master Cooking Mama thought I was.

A, upper Nuren

[fifthreplacement]

[Unlike Natasha, Sync hasn't got an egg, but rather a dragon who is currently perched on his shoulder. She notices the other human approaching before he does, reaching out on a long neck to sniff curiously at the new person.

Hearing the question and noticing his dragon's attention being elsewhere, Sync turns to look at the woman, head tilted to one side almost idly]

They'd want to, if we're supposed to do everything they claim we are.

[wingedman]

[Sam's in the same tavern when he catches a glimpse of red hair, a form that looks familiar but isn't quite right, and it's stupid optimism that makes him go over to her, one hand carefully on the padded leather satchel (unsurprisingly dyed red) that holds his dragon as he makes his way through the crowd.

Closer up, she's not quite the same, but-

God, he's so confused right now.]

Mind if I sit?

[Because he's suddenly aware of the fact that he's just been standing there staring awkwardly at her for a little too long, and that's kinda weird, Sam.]

Squall Leonhart | Final Fantasy VIII

[shear_trigger]

[ Here, There Be Dragons ]

[He is dreaming of a giant shadowy figure in the sky soaring so high that it blots out the sun. The world goes dark and the sounds of people screaming make his ears ring.

Squall wakes with a start, eyes snapping open and sweat drenching his skin. He’s greeted with a stranger’s sky and the feeling of his stomach rolling with nausea. Rolling over he lets out a wretch and then slowly sits up.]

Where am I...?

He has questions. Confused anxiety rolls over him as he stands up in clothes that aren’t his.]

Doesn’t matter right now... Have to find...

[Find what? He’s not entirely sure. But there is a strange pull at his heart to find something. So desperate that it overwrites his ability to question his surroundings or find his friends.

Find... her?

[ The Heart of Nuren ]

[His wanderings around this strange place seem almost scripted. Like his feet know exactly where to take him but his mind doesn’t understand why. When he reaches a large dark cavern he enters. It’s as if his soul is leading him in the direction he needs to go and he has no other option but to trust it.

The journey is short to the center of the cavern but it feels like an eternity. When he glances at the ruins and glyphs littering the ground he rolls his shoulders and tries to dispel the feeling of familiarity. This is a strange distant place, so why does he feel so certain here?

A sparkle in the distance catches his eye. When he finds a crystalline dragon egg about the size of both his hands together he feels his heart start hammering.]

... Were you looking for me? [He breathes softly, unsure why he’s talking to an unborn animal. But it feels natural, safe.

He reaches out to touch his fingertips to the egg and in an instant the egg shatters like glass. The sudden crackling and breaking doesn’t startle him and he remains still as the egg hatches. What is revealed is a small newborn dragon as helpless as the day he was born. She rolls over and Squall notices she’s covered in what looks like crystals.

When she lets out soft peeping makes he reaches out to carefully pick her up. On contact she feels jagged and she curls her long tail around his wrist. He immediately curls her against his chest to carry. The sense of familiarity comes back and Squall sighs.]

Looks like it’s you and I now.

[ Upper and Lower Nuren ]

[Alright, now that he has a new baby dragon cooing in his arms he emerges out of the cavern with a rather irritated look on his face. He feels anxiety roll over him again as he now has a clear enough mind to question what’s going on.

His world is gone… He’s been reborn and he is a Scion of the Great Beasts now.

Squall didn’t ask for any of this. Why should he care?

The little baby girl in his arms chimes softly and it catches his attention and he looks down at her, his expression softening somewhat.]

… Okay. We’ll ask around first.

[Someone (you?) nearby looks like they might have some more answers.]

… Excuse me. Do you have any more clear answers as to what exactly is going on here?

[ Outer Nuren ]

[Wandering the city has led him and his new dragon to Outer Nuren. It’s a busy place and packed with ships and people and the taverns are lit with activity.

Squall makes his way through the area and mostly observes. He could come back here to look for work and find information later. And perhaps a decent set of clothing from these docks traders…

The smell of the water and the noisy bustle of people seems to make his new little dragon in his arms chirp unhappily and she starts to struggle in his arms. Squall lets out a frustrated sigh and he might accidentally bump into someone (you?). Or he might appreciate a gentle hand with this stubborn child...]

[ Evening ]

[His first day falls into evening quickly. After a rather confusing and frustrating day, Squall finds himself tucked away at a table in the corner alone with some of the freely offered food. His baby dragon lays curled up on the table top and is snoozing gently while he picks at his food.

There is too much on his mind to eat much. But his gaze wanders out the nearby window to the displays of sparkling magic in the air. The magic is strange and new here but it’s oddly mesmerizing.

He gets lost in his thoughts...]

The Heart of Nuren

[yuruse]

[There's something upsettingly familiar about Squall's figure at first as Itachi tries to focus on it in the lighting of the cave. Perhaps it's even more upsetting to realize that it isn't who he'd thought it might be. That had been a hope derived from weakness and he needed to put such things out of his thoughts.

While focusing on the other young man, however, he catches sight of the hatching taking place. That causes him some concern, as his own egg still remains dormant in his hands. The warmth it gives off would have him believe that something is still alive within it, but should it already be breaking free of its shell? Could it be stuck?

He takes a few careful steps closer, his hampered vision only just able to get the gist of the interactions between the other scion and his dragon.]

Is that normal? [He keeps his voice low, hoping to avoid startling them.]

Sync the Tempest | Tales of the Abyss | Will match format

[fifthreplacement]

[Upper Nuren]

More scions were arriving. The news was spreading through the city, and all Sync could really think was 'Great, more people to annoy me.' He'd fast learned that the people of the city were curious about the scions, and ever since his egg had hatched, they'd become almost impossible to handle. At least most had learned to not bother him too much, noticing how awkward and occasionally mean he was when he was not in the mood to handle people.

There's less people in the upper section though, which is why he was easily found there. Sitting on one of the walls and not caring for the sheer drop on the other side, Sync watches anyone he doesn't recognise with mild curiosity and more than a little wariness. When he's not watching people, his attention is on the little green fuzzball that is his dragon hatchling, who is skittering along the ground near his feet, playing with pebbles. She occasionally climbs up his leg to sit on his lap, warbling at him, and it's with only mild annoyance that he feeds her pieces of fruit when she does.

The news of there being an elemental imbalance though is curious to him, and eventually he does move to go through the rest of the city.

[Lower Nuren]

Sync doesn't spend too much time in the lower section of the city. Though there are more people here, it seems more like an area that information would be easier to get if he knew the right kind of people first. Regardless, he does spend a little time walking the streets and ignoring the looks the dragon perched on his shoulder gets. At one point, it's easier to see him on the rooftops, running at speed and leaping across them without a care.

[Outer Nuren]

It's here that he openly talks to the travellers that head outside the city, along with the fisher folk. Sync gathers what information he can on the lands outside, along with the curious news about the winter and ice weakening. It doesn't really affect him too much, as he's not sure he gives a damn about this world yet, but it's still important to learn as much as one can.

Among so many people, his hatchling has climbed onto his head, and is hidden in his hair. Only a pair of orange eyes peeking out now and then gives her away.

[Evening]

Although he's a current scion, the people still seem to be wanting to earn favour with him, and the inns and taverns are more places to get information. He goes from one to another, dragon in his arms, accepting the blanket to cover himself and her. The food he mostly turns down, citing that he's not hungry, unless it's fruit. That he accepts and feeds to the hatchling. It doesn't take long for her to be full and sleeping, drifting off in his arms. Sync doesn't mind, spending most of the time after that learning what he can about this world and the newer scions alike.

Later on, he can be found in the upper part of the city, watching the magic displays quietly, clearly deep in thought. His dragon sits on his lap, clearly awed by the display, chirping and crooning now and then at the sight.

Outer Nuren

[camoqueen]

Glory is passing through on her way down toward the sea. She's looking for fish (or a source of them) so she can eat her fill and get own dragonet fed. Fruit would be nice too, honestly, but fish seems like it's the most readily available bulk food she can find. It's a fascinating walk, at least. Even if she still feels out of place and more than a little on edge. Her gaze sweeps across the crowd in front of her - and suddenly she pauses. Did someone's headfur stuff just blink at her? She turns back and swings her head down for a better look.

Huh.

"You know, I never expected to find a dragon in someone's hair."

Her own dragon, Glimmer, watches with measured wariness from her shoulders.

Jasper | Steven Universe | Current Scion

[stompadour]

I. The Heart of Nuren
The influx of new Scions has Jasper curious. What she's seen of the others so far hasn't impressed her... although she is, of course, biased by the fact that the only gems are herself, demonstratedly a failure, and Rose Quartz's defective pearl. In her eyes, if that's the best this place can do in terms of the most competent race in the galaxy then the rest of the Scions can't be worth much.

Still. If these are who she's going to have to work with...

With her still days-old dragon scurrying behind her, Jasper makes her way to the staircase that leads to the Heart of Nuren, watching for new Scions emerging with their eggs. Some of them will come back above ground to find her scrutinising them with intent yellow eyes.

She gives a curt nod. "You're new."


II. Lower Nuren

Jasper's dragon is still relatively small – the size of a toy dog, stumpy-legged and extremely round. In comparison, Jasper is over eight feet tall with a Jem and the Holograms-esque mane of hair and arms and legs like orange tree trunks. Consequently she looks kind of ridiculous chasing after the baby dragon who's currently running down the street with her jaws clamped around a loaf of bread as big as she is.

"Hey!" Jasper barks, grabbing for her and missing as the little dragon charges between someone's legs and trips them up. Jasper literally picks them up and moves them out of her way. Sorry if that's you!


III. Wildcard
Hit me up if you wanna work out something else – or just surprise me it's all good

[terrifyingrenegade]

Contrasting Jasper's fat little sausage dragon, Pearl's dragon is a scrawny little fuzz clad tangle of awkward limbs, the wings at its back sporting short little nubs of future flight feathers. Presently Pearl has the hatchling tucked up in the crook of one arm, from which it is peering out at the world around it with uncertain eyes.

As she's strolling along, lost in thought, a streak of movement catches her eye, immediately identifiable as a baby dragon. All day long she's been watching her fellow Scions struggle to keep their rambunctious new partners under control. Hoping to nip a potential disaster in the bud, the gem springs into action and scoops the little creature up as it runs past, restraining it in her other arm opposite her own dragon.

"Honestly," she mutters disapprovingly to herself, before straightening up to look around for the owner.

Sam Wilson | MCU

[wingedman]

[Arrival]

A deep sense of loss cuts through Sam when he thinks about it. Everything he's known and loved, gone in the blink of an eye. For a moment, a feeling of helplessness overtakes him, and he has to sit down on a bench and ground himself, concentrating on the feeling of sun-warmed stone under his hands, the sound of the crowd around him.

He doesn't want to be in a crowd right now, but he doesn't seem to have any say in the matter. The gentle tug he feels pulls him through the spiral roads of the city, all the way to the cavern set at the base of the mountain. It's there, in the quiet dark, that he finds a small egg tucked away in a corner - the whole damn cavern is full of eggs of all sizes and colors, but this one seems to call him. He picks the egg up, cradling it in his hands, and he feels a warm burst of protectiveness inside his chest. This, he can keep safe.

The same feeling echoes back at him, catching by surprise, and he nearly drops the egg, because Jesus, he wasn't expecting that. The fragile shell cracks suddenly, a small snout poking out of a hole. Soon enough, there's a bedraggled hatchling sitting on his palm, wet down drying quickly. Sam sits down against the wall near where the egg once rested, his heart racing, staring into wide golden eyes.

[Upper Nuren]
Now that he's managed to get a grip on himself - and feed his dragon (dragon!), who's devoured twice her weight in meat (and promptly fell asleep in a fleece-lined pouch someone gave him) - Sam's investigating the housing options for Scions. And while the caverns are outfitted with the basic necessities, well, he kind of misses his apartment.

They all seem to be basically the same, with variations that mostly depend on the size and type of dragon. Sam eyes Addie, little more than a palm-sized ball of fluff right now, and figures he probably won't need one of the largest lairs. (It's too bad; he wants to be in the sky again, and dragonback seems to be the best way to accomplish that here.)

"Guess I don't have to worry about which cave gets the best wifi connection, huh?" he comments to someone nearby.

Arrival

[masonryse]

Atvus made it his duty to keep the cavern safe, though the magic of the Great Beasts did much of the work for him. He watched Scions come and go with eggs and hatchlings, making their treks through Nuren's warm and pulsing heart. Many days prior he had wondered how it must feel to share a bond with something so closely. that was when the first group of Scions aside from the two he had come to know had appeared. The thought occurred to him again when eggs began appearing in the cavern again. Now scions were appearing again.

The cloaked and hooded gargoyle-touched man approached one of the scions carefully. He kept close to the wall and crouched a small way away from the circle of ruins, his face shrouded in darkness, but his voice warm and gentle.

"What a lovely creature you have in your company."

Tsukasa Kadoya | Kamen Rider Decade | new

[chaoticdrifting]

A - Onore Dikedo
Destruction did not work that way. Tsukasa knew that in his bones that if anything was going to destroy his world, it would happen in blood and pain and the deepest betrayal. A dark figure spreading wings over the studio? The fall of darkness only to be pulled back by a kind voice wreathed in flames? No. If anything like that was to happen, he knew he would have fought. He was the Destroyer. All the rest were just mere irritants.

But still he was standing on a strange world dressed in clothing that was far too simplistic then any he had worn before. Kadoya Tsukasa looked up at a sky he never seen, the memory still fresh. He reached up, pressing his hands on his head and felt the ridges of old scars hidden under his hair. He pressed down, feeling the gray edges of broken fragments, of the boy-leader of monsters, the gentler but still deadly Rider, breathing hard through gritted teeth, then forced it back.

His world gone? No, the pieces were still with him and he was a master of pulling apart the worlds to bring them back to him.

Relaxing, he let his hands drop and looked around. There were a lot of people that reminded him of monsters he once knew but he ignored them in favor of following the call. Like other worlds he had been in, he didn't ignore it, even when the pull ended at the side of an egg. He spent a few moments of looking it, noticing the drift of others in the great cavern, of other people picking up eggs and leaving yet again. His mouth twist before he lifted it free of it's hollow, studying the white shell with the luminescent blue in the light. It reminded him of the metal that made his Driver and the smile that touched his features wasn't kind.

Pulling his tunic up to fashion a sling, he left the cavern and went in search of someone who could provide something a little better.

B - Upper/Lower Nuren
Bartering with a grizzled wolf-faced man felt like coming home, though he was pretty sure that Dai-Shocker troops didn't have a wolf-type in them. Tsukasa came from the merchant richer then he had went in, especially given that most merchants were too tight-fisted to let go of their merchandise to let a stranger wander in and then wander out with a satchel of costly dyed leather. But Tsukasa was charming when he wanted to be, and while it wasn't his camera, it was still a familiar color and shape. The rest were just details.

Then he asked questions, and spent his time trying not to make any harsh comments at the responses, though some of it sounded familiar. Brought to a dying world to help save it certainly wasn't new, but he didn't want to point out the flaws in bringing someone like him to save a world. They should have grabbed Yuusuke or Natsumi, they knew what a hero should do. He wasn't anything like that, though he was smart enough to not say it in front of people.

He waited until he walked a few feet away before huffing, tapping his satchel's flap as he voiced his opinion.

"I think that the bird had a few too many drinks before grabbing me. Save a world..? Only if they want it to get destroyed first."

C - Evening
He collected a few more tokens as the night progressed. The natives had sid there was going to be a touching display of magic and Tsukasa couldn't retain the look that crossed his face at the idea. So while others were watching the fireworks, he was making his way past them, keeping his gaze away from the flash of colored lights and forming designs in the night sky.

It was too much and not enough and he finally found a spot where he could close his eyes and press his forehead against a tree away from the lights and colors. The Rider Wars might have been years ago - time means nothing to someone who traveled between realities but he always kept count - but he knew of a war that was similar to the displays. The only saving grace of this display was the lack of the calling Drivers, the sharp hiss of electronic voices cutting over and under each other as attacks flashed and bodies flew. He allowed himself one more shuttering breath before forcing himself calm and headed for the nearest bar.

Tsukasa Kadoya didn't drink because of what he might do, but right now he needed one. Who knew, he might actually end up with some more useful information in the process.

D - wild card
Open to all approaches is one leggy Kamen Rider with a bright pink magenta satchel swung over his shoulder wandering around the place.


[ooc; open to all and will match formats!]

B

[temero]

"It is true, my lord Scion, that the natural order of all things embraces destruction as much as creation," murmured a voice near his elbow, belonging to a man who hadn't been there a moment before. Quiet and unobtrusive, the voice had come from beneath a deep grey hood attached to grey-and-blue robes: the traditional garments of the priesthood. A strong, blunt-fingered hand lifted, pushing the hood back, revealing a dark-haired middle-aged man with a grave face and stubbled jaw.

"Would you walk with me? I'd be fain to hear more of your thoughts on the purpose of these miracles. You have eyes clear as a snowmelt stream on a mountainside."

A high compliment, from a priest of Mouros.

Itachi Uchiha | Naruto | New Arrival

[yuruse]

Here there be dragons

[Upon awakening, Itachi rolls onto his side and dry heaves. The new memories on top of the stress of being returned to his original body prove to be too much at once. He lays there for a few moments, forehead pressed against the stones beneath him. It's hard to process. That the people he'd given up everything to protect, indeed their whole entire world, might be gone for reasons he's not even aware of - it doesn't seem real. He's not sure what to believe. What he does know is that he's once again alive, and in a body that shouldn't be able to carry him much further.

Every movement is painful as he pulls himself into a sitting position. What should otherwise be a pleasant breeze stings against the burns along his right arm. The deep gash in his left leg will need tending to. While it isn't bleeding now it will reopen easily enough. And his chest... his chest is on fire. Every breath taken feels like it should be his last, each one sounding like the raspy inhalations of the undead.

For a while he just sits, gathering what small reserves of energy he has as he takes in what little he can see of his new surroundings, squinting through the blur of his natural eyesight without his Sharingan. Everything is unfamiliar. Even his chakra doesn't quite feel right.

There's something else, though. His illness isn't the only thing tugging at his chest, and soon he realizes that he can't just sit around here. No matter how he feels physically, there's somewhere else he desperately needs to be.

The burns on his arm can be left alone, but that leg is going to make it difficult to move. The jingling at his hip indicates that he's been left with some amount of money by someone. perhaps this will at least allow him to purchase some bandages or get someone to sew up the wound. His own hands won't be steady enough for such a task yet.

Finally he starts moving, limping heavily. If he really is needed here then he'll put what effort he can into staying alive.]

The Heart of Nuren

[When the ninja finally reaches the place he's been drawn to, he falls to his knees in front of once of the small circles of runes. In the center is an egg. This whole chamber is a nesting ground of some sort, it seems, but it's this egg in particular that's drawn him in.

It's about twice as large as a typical chicken egg, the surface a rough black with fine red veins running through it. Hesitantly, he reaches out his right hand. Nothing seems to happen as his fingers pass over the runes and he takes that as a good sign. What he's going to do with the egg once he has it, he's not sure. If he's heard right then it will be up to him to raise whatever hatches from it.

As if he's done well raising anyone in the past.

The egg is warm in his hands, and for a time he continues to sit there, staring helplessly at its dark surface. What's the best way to carry this around to keep it from getting crushed?]

Upper Nuren

[Worn out, the best thing Itachi can think of to do at this point is find a comfortable place to sit and rest. The townspeople seem welcoming enough to Scions that his usually high paranoia level has relaxed slightly. The chances that he'll be harmed by one of them it low, but he doesn't know much about the other Scions themselves.

Beneath the bend in a stone staircase is a corner occupied only by a few empty wooden crates. Itachi finds a comfortable spot to sit atop one of them cross-legged, and he pulls a thin blanket around himself - a gift from a concerned citizen.

He doesn't mean to fall asleep but he soon does, head bowed and egg held securely in both hands.]

Evening

[For the first time since arriving, Itachi lets the Sharingan spin the irises of his eyes into a bright red. Without their aid, his eyesight is so poor that the magic display would be nothing but bright blurs of color against the blackened sky. It would still be worth viewing, but he wouldn't be able to properly appreciate the effort.

He doesn't like being crowded, and while he accepts some offerings of food purely out of hunger he turns others away politely. This whole day has been too much for him and he could use some time to sit and process it all.

The ninja sits in the same spot as before, though now he's leaning against the wall behind him with his legs dangling off the crate. He might look more relaxed but he's still just as wary as ever. Some sort of pocket dimension to store his egg in where he didn't have to constantly fret about it getting cracked would be nice right about now.]

here there be dragons

[enthraller]

[Certain things catch Saralegui's eye very easily. The color black is still one of them, no matter how quickly it became clear that it's nothing special here. A glimpse of dark hair turns his head. Obviously a new scion, he notices, judging by the clothes. And obviously, he realizes quickly, badly hurt.

He pauses at first, waits, to see if anyone else will do something. But this section of the street isn't heavily populated at the moment, and no one else seems to have noticed the oddity yet. Caution holds him back at first, but curiosity and some level of actual worry pushes him forward.]

What on earth happened to you?

[He skips right past the standard "are you okay?" because the answer to that is clear a i no. Without waiting for an answer he moves to the man's side with a concered frown, automatically pushing his own dragon back as she tried to press forward for a closer look himself.

Saralegui isn't completely without sympathy for the plights of others, but he quietly finds this scene more unsettling than anything else. Unsettling, because so far this place had seemed extremely peaceful for the most part. Outside the city might be dangerous, sure, but he can't imagine what might have so badly hurt someone within it, especially a brand new scion.]

sorey: tales of zestiria ( ota )

[handle]

a) the heart of nuren

[ Sorey takes his time in exploring, despite the pull that's nearly nagging at him. He's trying to take in what's happening, coming to multiple conclusions on what everything here could mean when he moves deeper and deeper in the heart of the mountain. He inspects the runes, looking to them closely. ] .... They're old, but they still look pretty recent, too. [ He starts quietly, deep green eyes taking in he design of it all carefully.

Either way -- exploring somewhere new and foreign is definitely exciting. His heart is pounding in his chest, and he can't help but want to explore every inch of this place as he can.

He doesn't ignore the calling, letting what feels like instincts guide him through the ruins until he finds those eggs. For those who may be tagging along with him or run into him there, they'll find him reaching for a pure-white colored, large egg. ]

This is--

... It's kind of weird, but I feel like I've seen this before. [ Or, that he knows and cares for what's in this egg already.

But, it's the first time he's been here, isn't it? ]

b) evening

[ Sorey's still carrying his rather large egg when evening falls, holding it close to him in order to keep it warm. For those who may pass by Sorey, they'll find him doing just that - keeping the egg close to him, yet holding it gently.

He eventually finds those who are passing out both food and blankets. He offers a small smile towards the stranger, holding out a hand quietly. ]

Mind if I borrow a blanket? I'd like to keep this egg warm!

[ He takes the blanket gratefully when one is handed to him, nodding his head. ]

Thanks a lot! But, if you're handing these out to others, then maybe I could help!

c) evening, part 2 [ Further into the evening, Sorey will feel his egg begin to shake a little.

He pulls the blanket away from his chest, finally - keeping the blanket snug around it, yet loosening it all the same. ]

--Guess I'm about to find out what's in this. It doesn't really look like any other egg I've seen in books.

d) wildcard

( feel free to throw anything my way, and i'll work with you! )

C

[fifthreplacement]

[He's mostly been avoiding a lot of the people by staying to the outskirts of the areas where food and blankets are being handed out, but when he notices another of the newer scions he doesn't recognise around, and seemingly focused on an egg that is clearly shaking, he can't help being drawn in a little. Seeing his own dragon hatch was one thing, but he can't help be a little curious if they're all the same like that]

Didn't anyone tell you what it was?

[Sync keeps his tone as idle as he can, not wanting to actually appear interested. But new people were worth learning about as well. His own dragon is curled up in his arms, looking more like a green fuzzball with orange eyes than any sort of dragon]

mikleo / tales of zestiria / OTA, newly arrived.

[contribute]

THE HEART OF NUREN;

[ It all feels like a dream. Everything before, what was going on now, the way his heart and body is tugged by strings into the cavern. It isn't until he finally has the source of it in his arms that he seems to feel like he's actually woken up.

The egg in his arms resembles one of ice, or maybe even crystal, by the coloring of the shell and looking fragile especially with it's large size about as big as an ostrich egg. If he wasn't so certain about needing to protect and keep this egg close he would have probably put it back. It would make sense. But no, he's confident that whatever belongs in this egg is suppose to be with him. That the pair of them are meant to share this life now.

By now most have probably taken their egg and left, but Mikleo lingers behind to peer at the runes scattered about. He wants to make note of them in case they ever come up again. After all... they aren't really markings he's seen before. ]

UPPER AND LOWER NUREN;

[ The instant the spell is gone from him does the water seraph make way to gathering information around. He's use to not being seen, being a shadow or ghost in the background as he catches on gossip from conversations sharing around him.

What he doesn't expect are people to approach him. He's surprised, confused if briefly, but he eventually passes off for natives in having some sort of resonance. Especially when they speak of the Great Beasts. Their belief is something to believe in.

However, for other Scions like him, his surprise will still be there. For now he's listening to some natives speak of each Great Beast, seeming interested in what they have to say. ]

EVENING;

[ By evening he's gotten use to everyone more or less being able to see him. At least.. he hasn't run into anyone that hasn't. But while he appreciates the offers and tokens when it comes to caring for the egg, he gently declines those for himself rather sheepishly. (Or maybe flustered?)

It's only now he has time to actually inspect the egg, though it's with curiosity, he can't help but quietly speak out. ] Does this really hold a dragon..?

[ He couldn't believe it when he was told it was a dragon egg. He knows what dragons are. At least back in his world. Which is something he hesitates in thinking,feeling the vague fuzzy feeling of it. It was impossible though, right? That a dragon would hatch out of this? ]

evening

[lullabytes]

It does...although all of them hold very different kinds of dragons. I haven't really met any two that are just alike in the time I've been here and seen them hatch.

[ chiaki's voice is quiet and gentle, and it might be because her own hatchling, the size of a small cat, is curled up in her arms asleep. the little thing looks like a bird-dragon more than anything else, and doesn't so much as twitch at hte sound of her Scion's voice. ]

You can feel it in there, right? At least...it called to you already.

[reymain]

Evening
Rey and her dragon stand out somewhat in a crowd, if only for the size of the young adult dragon sitting near one of Upper Nuren's outer walls. The evening is their most active time within the city, and the fireworks have drawn them both to the gathering of curious citizens.

Scrapwing watches the magic firework display while Rey's eyes follow the new scions curiously. Any who approach the pair are greeted with a small smile from Rey, but as the evening grows later and darker, she starts approaching them on her own.

"Has anyone shown you the caverns yet?" Everyone needs a place to sleep and while her own comfortable cave and hammock call to her, it's important the new arrivals know there is somewhere safe they can sleep for the night.

[thetenthstorm]

He stops and half-turns when she approaches, his ostrich-sized of an egg cradled in the nook of his elbow. He doesn't particularly look to want much conversation, but interest crosses in his eyes at her question. "Caverns?" he answers.

This is what he gets for waiting so long to get to business. He missed out on a lot of the information going around.

Tsuyu Asui | Boku no Hero Academia | OTA

[tsuyuirihero]

[NUREN, UPPER]

[It's a very odd dream that she has. She sees the ghosting edges of the waiting room during her exams one minute-and the next, she's laying on her back, the scent of acrid smoke in her nostrils as the sun grows dark. It is a shock enough that she is surprised she didn't 'wake up' then.

That is about when she realizes it's 'happening'.

What she does wake to is a voice-gentle and calm, bringing her eyes open not in a snap, but with a flutter. What she sits up to however, is cold. The girl shivers, garbed in a dress and light vest, and nothing more. What a terrible thing to wake up in-but more importantly, she thinks as she becomes more aware of her surroundings, this is not the examination room. And she can't find any reason to believe this would be part of the exam either. What reason would there be to bring them to a place set up like this, after all?

And she feels some sort of need to move, some need to walk along the path ahead...]

Ffffhhh... ...cold...

[Holding her arms and rubbing them momentarily, the girl sets off with a grimace, wandering the path she feels so strangely compelled to take even as questions burn through her mind.]

[THE HEART]

[The caverns she finally makes her way into are thankfully far warmer than the outside-at least to her cold-sensitive skin. As she makes her way inside, curious eyes wander the walls as well, far from ignorant to the runes that lined certain locations. There are so many eggs in this place...some almost as large as she is, and others so small she could almost step on them if she weren't looking.

Yet to all of these so far, while there is an occasional pause to stare... ...well. It's clear to her now what she's looking for, but the girl shakes her head and continues walking on, her hands held in front of her almost like some sort of kangaroo as she goes.] Mmnh. It's not that one....

[NUREN, OUTER & LOWER]

Excuse me, sir. Is there somewhere I can purchase a coat?

[By the time she wanders back into Nuren, her vest has become somewhat sacrificed in order to carefully form a papoose on her back, the belt-cord now securing it rather cleverly in place. What little can be seen of the egg looks almost like jelly-and even seems to bend like jelly, oddly enough, but for now Tsuyu isn't really paying it any mind. Instead, she's frowning as she gets her answer. 'A coat? In this weather?!' the man she's questioning exclaims. 'You should be fine with what you have, if not a spring jacket at most! A coat is far too warm!']

...It really isn't. I'm very sensitive to cold, you see. [The man seems rather bewhildered by this-clearly the child doesn't know what she's talking of, hmm?]

[EVENING | NUREN (in general)]

[She's carrying, at the moment, quite the basket of things. They are small comforts that she has been granted, certainly-but small comforts go a long way. First, was a basket of foods; mostly harvest fruits, things that were aplenty already, but there is a small bit of meat and cheese as well as some sort of jug carrying water. 'You can use it to after you empty it the first time', she was told when being handed it, and it leaves Tsuyu carrying everything with a somewhat uncomfortable expression on her face. The pile is added to-a pillow, a few little charms, even a thinly made quilt when one old woman notices the constant shivering, the fabric covering the pile as they continue along the way up toward the cavern homes. But the most Tsuyu can think to herself, before actually saying it (admittedly to herself) is....]

Um.

...This pile is getting a little hard to carry-I appreciate all of this, but is there something I can use to balance this better..?

[EVENING | The Caverns]

[So then. This, is home. A cavern carved into the rock of the mountain, the mountain heat keeping it nice and warm and sheltered from the crisp chill outside. With so many tunnels linking everything, it's a wonder she found one for herself she feels. None of the caverns are actually linked (so far, she finds), but all the same as she finally comes to one that doesn't seem in any way lived in, she sets her things down and sighs.

....So this is home then.

She takes her egg down, and lays it carefully on the bed in the cave, staring at it in silence.

...'Home', then.]

An evening in Nuren

[archdeviant]

(( Hello! Just checking in before I jump in, is it okay for Nemesis to pull his psychic disguise on her? ))

Why, of course there is!

[ Effortlessly inserting himself into a conversation they had not been having, Nemesis sidles up to Tsuyu with a confident smile on non-existent lips. Though she was no stranger to odd looking people, he nevertheless has wrapped himself in his aura that convinces the mind to fill in fill gaps- just a very normal, easy on the eyes tall man.

Not a drooling alien horse demon at all. ]

You could ask a friend for assistance. Need a hand, lass?

hajime hinata | danganronpa

[snowboards]

a. morning, heart of nuren.

[ there were a lot of questions in hinata's mind when he woke up, but he found himself walking somewhere without asking any of them. the first question was, obviously, why do I feel the need to go to this random place. the second, third, maybe fourth were all about what had happened back home. really, wandering into the heart of a mountain wasn't what he expected to be doing when he woke up.

he finds himself drawn to a plain egg, a brown and scaly one that could only be described as average. an average size, color, shape. picking it up, he holds it up to examine it. ]

... It's an egg. [ astute observation. ] This is like something out of a fantasy movie.

b. afternoon, upper/lower nuren.

[ now that he's casually walking around with an egg, as you do, he can harass the townsfolk for information. politely, of course, though he's a bit blunt and clearly exasperated after talking to several people. yes all this nice historical stuff about your nice fantasy dragon world is nice but kinda unhelpful. to him, anyway.

tired of talking to the npcs townsfolk, he approaches you. aren't you lucky. ]

Hey, are you new here too? What do you think of this place?

[ he's hoping someone else will have better insight than him or the townsfolk. sure, they've told him some useful stuff about their great beasts and scions or whatever, but. ]

c. evening, upper nuren, fireworks.

[ it's kind of weird to have fireworks without any noise, but no way is he going to pass up seeing some. he's found himself in a clear enough spot to view the fireworks without climbing on someone's roof (though it was tempting, he can't climb with this egg and he didn't want to just leave the egg behind, either? it's not even attached to a student handbook card). he's wrapped his egg in a blanket to keep it cozy. better the egg is cozy than him??

he doesn't seem to be paying much attention to anything except the fireworks, but if someone sits down or talks to him, he'll notice. he's just busy being captivated by lights in the sky, and his own thoughts. he's not brooding like a loser, but it's clear he's quietly thinking. or just, staring. it's been a long day? it's been a long day. ]

d. wildcard!

[ or come up with your own! ]

c

[shear_trigger]

[Squall is caught up in the display of magic in the night air just as much as everyone else. Usually he's not into flashy displays of color and lights but he's drawn to the magic and interested in it. This world is full of strange concepts and new magic and as much as he's irritated at being here and worried about his friends... The magic makes him curious.

He catches the sight of someone nearby with an egg. This also makes him wonder because it's the first time Squall has seen someone with an egg still. His egg... had hatched as soon as he had touched it. His little blue hatchling sits curled up in his arms half dozing.

That curiosity for understanding these creatures makes him remark quietly.]

... Your egg, it hasn't hatched yet?

Tony Stark | Marvel 616 | New

[definingfuture]

A. Upper and Lower Nuren

[After his trip to the heart of the city, Tony doesn't feel that much better. He has his egg, which he keeps tucked safely wrapped in his tunic, but he's not sure what he's supposed to do with that. An egg doesn't make the dream go away or the knowledge that came with it any easier to take. He wanders the city, talking to the citizens about the Great Beasts and trying to understand how he got there. They try to help, but their answers are vague and mostly confusing. Eventually he settles into a rhythm, wandering to new places and asking new questions each day. How to get around, where to find things, what lies beyond the city proper. Tony finds the market and pokes around. Other scions begin to stick out to him and he can be caught staring, although not maliciously, trying to place the kind of worlds they come from by picking up bits of conversations or observing them in action. He tries to find something familiar.

Anyone in the market will be able to find Tony at some point trying to negotiate with vendors for supplies or get work in exchange for goods. He seems to be doing his best to fit in with the residents, but there are some awkward missteps along the way. Not everyone responds well to his deals.]

All I want right now is a real meal. And real clothes.

B. Evening

[The first night, of course, Tony needs to find somewhere to stay. He's still wandering when dusk comes and switches his search questions to asking where he can get decent lodgings. Free blankets are nice and welcome as it gets colder. Even when he does find a place to stay, Tony is outside watching the magical display. Light, fire, and energy are things he loves even if they do come from magic. And it makes him feel less alone.]

This can't be real. I'm still dreaming.

[If that were true, he'd have been dreaming for days, but saying that out loud makes him feel better. Unfortunately, it also gives a weird impression to those around him.]

upper nuren

[lullabytes]

...The meal should be easy, but if you mean fashions like whatever you had at home, that might be a little harder.

[ the quiet voice of an ai teen pipes up from nearby. she's wearing her own nuren-style dress, although it's of a little better quality than what most of them woke in. there's also a hatchling the size of a kitten balancing rather precariously on her left shoulder. ]

But people are pretty nice about feeding us. Which is good, because Cooking Mama's lessons didn't transfer into real life...

Yugo | Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC V | Newbie, OTA

[bananaspeedrider]

A - The Heart of the City

Hhhh... what was that?

[Yugo rose up with his head pounding from a splitting headache, probably from that punch of cold that hit him-

Wait a minute where was he? What was he wearing and where was his riding suit?

Not that he has time to ponder any of that because suddenly there's a pull centered at his chest. Not painful, not like anything he might've felt before, just a something that manages to be insistent despite its gentle tugging on him. Yugo follows, through the streets and down the torch lit steps, then finally into the cavern. Man it's a sight, despite sensing there's a single one of these... eggs apparently... calling for him to claim it, Yugo still observes the infinite variety of them as he walks and watches his step for the tiny ones.

The pull brings him to a green egg with silver marks and a fuzzy surface. Yugo picks up the thing, feeling the warmth even through his new gloves. So this egg was supposed to be his?

It's probably just his imagination or the weirdness of this place getting to him once the teen starts moving to get up and leave, but there's almost a feeling of content coming from the egg as Yugo holds it close and securely.]


B - The Outer Ring of the City

[Yugo's going through the gold in his pouch because he definitely didn't have this on him before. But of course he wasn't about to complain, he just needed to figure out where the heck he was going to stay and how to get more money than this for later on.

Right now he'll just looks at all the fish the citizens are hauling in and tries to keep an eye out for a bag he can carry this egg in...]


C - Evening in the City

[Well this is lucky and far better than life back hom-

Hm. Probably shouldn't focus on that too long over getting this basket of food and small comforts into a "room" in the caverns he was directed to by some robed dude. It's not too heavy really and it's nice that people in Nuren are willing to do this much for... scions they said? And a cave shouldn't be so bad to sleep in with the pillow and blankets he received.

Yugo peers into each space within the stone tunnels as he goes, wouldn't want to barge into one that someone's already using...]

C

[temero]

[ A grey-and blue shadow appeared at the young man's elbow; another robed priest, with a weary, craggy face and a wry twitch of a smile. ]

My lord Scion.

[ He lifted the oil lamp he held, which cast a golden radiance all around him. ]

Please, this way. We have tried to allow for accommodations for one and all, but it has been... an effort. This hall is already occupied.

The Doctor | Doctor Who | Newly Arrived, open, will match

[thetenthstorm]

Evening -- The Heart of Nuren

He never appreciates following anyone's rules for him, but even he's not strong enough to resist the pull, not for very long. It makes him angry; the entire mess makes him angry. His thoughts boil and simmer while he journeys, not talking to anyone he passes, not even taking in much of the sights. It's wrong for him, a traveler, and explorer. All he can remember and feel is that victory, sending the Time Lords back to the Time War. Saving the Earth, even as he had to give himself to pull Wilf out.

And then it was all tarnished. Victory, yanked from him. His regenerative energy weighing him down, and then there was a creature blocking out the sky and it's not fair.

When he finds himself in the Heart of Nuren, his erratic thoughts quell and he feels everything just... fall away from him. He's so very tired.

He stares at the hundreds--thousands--of dragon eggs.

The Doctor draws in a breath. If he focuses, instead of fights with it, he can feel that tug along his soul. With a hitch of his breathing, he realizes it's where the TARDIS used to be.

He walks. Slow, careful. He doesn't know how long it takes, how many eggs he's passed, but even without that tug, he knows when he finds it. That blue is unmistakable. For a foolish moment he wonders if, maybe, the TARDIS was reborn along with him.

Pipe dreams.

He crouches down and just stares at the smooth shell and finds himself smiling, watery and a little sad, but a real smile. He's glad no one else is around him. "Hello there," he greets the egg. His hands hang between his knees. There's still some fight to him, unwilling to touch the egg, like if he does, it'll make everything real. His memories, his situation. His loss, his failure. "Ah, I'm sorry, I've really been making you wait, haven't I?"

His hands twitches forward, reaching out, just shy of touching the shell.

"Sorry," he says again, quieter, "I feel like you've gotten the wrong Doctor."

He shouldn't be this face. He should have woken as someone new. He should have regenerated, but the disaster cut it away from him. For all his running from that prophecy, he terrifyingly realizes that he's disappointed.

He presses his hand to the shell and the warmth is almost too much. He cradles the egg close to his chest, as though the dragon within may be able to feel his double-heartbeat. If he takes his time to hold his head down and tremble with the egg, no one's any the wiser.

When he finally makes it back outside, he doesn't get far, sagging to the ground on the top step. And there he remains for quite some time, watching the fireworks, his mind elsewhere.

[bonedoggle]

somethin' on your mind, pal?

[The voice that speaks up next to the Doctor is a deep one, with a mild Brooklyn accent.

Sans isn't sure what's on this man's mind, but he can at least offer a friendly face.]

Ruri Kurosaki | Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V | NEW!

[lyrical_nightingale]

Revival Zero (Arrival)

[A dream? A memory? A vision of an entire different reality altogether? Ruri cannot say that she knows exactly what's going on in her mind, but the last thing she clearly remembers is being blasted by a dragon of searing flames and seeing the face of the devil himself, red eyes engraving its gaze into her flesh. Even as she sits up from the ground in a cold sweat, a scream heavily laden under her tongue, she can still hear the echoing roar, as much as she remembers the sun being blotted out of the sky (but she was in a castle, wasn't she?), and the world being cast into darkness.

What was that creature?

Thin, rough hands shake as she looks around for that gentle, caring voice that roused her from her imprisonment, but there's no one that seems to have called her by name around. It's another unfamiliar world to her, a city cast from stone, sitting under vast blue skies. It's a beautiful and has a sense of tranquility that Ruri hasn't seen in years. In fact, she just sits there for a while in shock, taking in the scenery.]

Where... [She pauses, astonished for a moment that she's able to hear her own voice. And that's when she realises she has complete control of her body again. She looks down at her small, slender form to see a simple cloth tunic and a long, flowing skirt- not too unlike her old clothes really- and then slowly gets to her feet.]

Ahh... [She stumbles like a child learning to walk, but she catches herself before she trips over her own boots, the sound of coins jingling in her pouch filling the air around her. Having not been in control of her body before dying left her mind confused, and she seems dazed as she finds her footing.] Hello?

-----

The Songbird who found her egg (Heart of Nuren)

[Once she remembered basic autonomy and collected herself, She attempts to go shopping but finds all of her plans out the window when she finds herself obeying the gentle calling. Her footsteps are light, nearly silent as she carefully steps down the stairs, one hand clutched in a loose fist against her chest and one hand against the stone walls. Sunlight disappears, replaced with the lights of torches, but despite the change of light and drop in temperature, the girl feels warmer than ever, like this is where she's supposed to be.

It sounds almost like someone is calling her, saying that they're 'over here' and even if she can't hear the words, she's so sure that's what is being said. Her heart hammers in her chest as she reaches the bottom floor and is met with the large cavern. It looks nothing like it, but being here reminds her of home in Heartland City, back when the sun was still bright and both her brother and herself would play together at home. The nostalgia makes her smile and she moves forward gracefully, the hem of her skirt gliding just above the ground. Even if she had her eyes closed, she would have been able to find her place on the far east wall, where there's a turquoise egg. It's large, the size of her torso, with dark blue and brown speckles on it. It looks like a turquoise lapis lazuli, cut and all. She reaches out and touches it, the runes glowing softly to confirm she is the one. There are no words, but Ruri gasps lightly as she feels the smooth outside, and "hears" her egg.

'You found me'

She gingerly takes off the red cloth that hangs from her belt and wraps her egg up. She holds it close to her chest and begins humming, like a mother singing to her child to sleep and makes her way up the stairs. After reaching the top of the stairs though she'll hang around there to process what had just happened, and look at her egg in a better light.]

-----

Moving as freely as the a bell Wind (Nuren)

[After resting with her egg, the girl takes to the streets of Nuren, a notable spring in otherwise completely controlled steps. Despite the size and awkwardness to hold her egg, it's light and she's able to hold it with help of the red sash. It makes her very noticeable as she walks around the marketplace, but she's a relatively normal human in comparison to many other scions that have made their arrival, so she blends in just as much as she sticks out.

She finds herself gathering information, the proper thing to do when scouting out a new location, and learns all the basics of the world. Great Beasts that brought her back to life, the city she is now, and who exactly the Touched and Remnants are. It's rather an overwhelming introduction, but she takes all the information in her stride, already reassuring residents that she's not sure what she can do, but she'll do whatever she can help when the time comes. The day is young, so she'll be around all districts of Nuren since she has no real destination in mind.

Every now and again, she glances over her shoulder her incredibly thick, long hair to see if anyone unsavoury is there. Despite how composed and at ease she seems, there's wariness in her eyes. Without her Duel Disk or deck, she feels extremely naked and she clings to her egg cautiously.]

No Duel Monsters at all in this world... I guess I'll have a lot to get used to, huh?

-----

The serenity of the Moon (Evening)

[The girl had considered not going out at all that evening, but she wanted to stretch her legs and go out on her own. She takes her egg with her into the night, unable to be away from it for long. She's not sure if all scions feel the same way or it's just her, but she's not complaining as she heads out, her egg comfortably strapped to her torso in a harness. Some kind people from earlier had helped her get that organised so she could carry her egg comfortably and still have use of her arms. Much like many other citizens, they had given it to her for free, and the girl had given her friendship openly with kind smiles and gracious words.

She finds herself wandering mostly the squares, talking and mingling with scholars and curious people, but she does excuse herself when the colourful lights propel themselves into the sky to meet with the watchful moon. Fireworks... beautiful and colourful, light and joyous. They're so similar to the skylines of Heartland, the glow of the lights not so different to the glow of buildings from her home, back when it still existed. It's been years since she's seen anything so bright and cheery, and she can't fight the tears that slide down her face that accompany her smile.]

It's beautiful, isn't it?

[archdeviant]

(( Hello! Just checking in before I jump in, is it okay for Nemesis to pull his psychic disguise on her? ))

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha | New

[capital_asset]

A. Arrival

He's not unused to nightmares. They're part of the job, Gouto had told him once. Every Raidou worthy of the name's had 'em. If anything, I'd be more worried if you didn't. It hadn't been a comfort, exactly, but the nightmares had been a small price to pay to keep the Capital safe. This, though...

The demon had been massive, so much so as to block out the sun itself. It didn't matter. His duty as a Raidou was to defend the Capital against all demonic threats, no matter how powerful. He remembers reaching for his sword, and for the Taiko drum that would enable him to summon Great Kohryu to fly him up to meet it, and then... nothing more.

Raidou opens his eyes.

The city he finds himself in is not his. Nothing of it looks familiar: not the architecture, not the people, not anything. His own clothing doesn't feel right; it's not what he'd been wearing before... before, and the style is all wrong. He closes his eyes again. Waits. Reopens them.

Nothing changes. Everything he knows is gone, and now? Now he doesn't know what to do.

B. Heart of Nuren

The pull is subtle at first, gentle enough that he doesn't notice it even as he responds to it. But it rapidly grows stronger, and more insistent, and soon it's all he can do not to crash into people as he obeys its call. It doesn't occur to him to resist it, if he even could; he simply follows. Later, the memory of that loss of control will make him shudder.

Now, though, he descends into the cavern, barely noticing the wide steps or the lit torches. He doesn't question the feelings of safety and peace that flood him as he sets foot inside, sensations he would have railed against as invasive in similar circumstances back home. He just moves forward, eyes flicking over egg after egg without really registering their presence... except for one.

It's not immediately recognizable to him as an egg; it looks more like the unstable red crystals he used to find in the Dark Realm, all jagged edges and shifting contents, and for a brief moment he's disoriented by the reminder of what he's lost, unsure as to which is real. The moment passes quickly, though, and soon he's reaching out a tentative hand through the runes that surround the egg, running his fingers over the crystalline surface. The egg seems to shudder slightly, but there's no reaction beyond that. The dragon must not be ready to leave the safety of her egg yet. For a moment, he wonders if he should leave her here until she is, but... no. He can't do that. The very thought feels wrong.

C. Upper and Lower Nuren

When the spell lifts, he can't help but be faintly appalled at himself. Shouldn't he have at least tried to resist the compulsion? Logically, he suspects it wouldn't have worked, but back home, such an absence of control would likely have gotten him killed, or possibly bonded to something a lot worse than a dragon's egg. Still, it's over now, and no (apparent) harm done.

The egg is a bit awkward to carry, but he still needs to find lodging and it wouldn't feel right to leave it alone in any case. For now, he sets about looking for necessary information about this new world and hopefully some options for shelter. He's got some coin to spend, yes, but he's not sure how much he has relative to how much things cost here, and he'd rather not end up getting turned back out onto the streets because he spent too much without realizing. Raidou's never been the most talkative person - Narumi and Gouto both seemed to despair of that sometimes - but he does his best.

D. Evening

The events of the day are starting to wear badly on him by the time night falls, but there is food, and blankets, and the magic displays are lovely - although he can't help but miss the sound of fireworks. He wonders if the dragon can see any of this; after all, it's not as if the crystal that makes up her egg is particularly opaque. Then again, the deep red color of the crystal would probably distort the colors of the lights or even render them completely invisible. She'll probably have to wait until she hatches to properly watch a display like this. He wonders if dragons are ever colorblind.

He makes himself talk to people despite his fatigue. The robed figures in particular seem like they have necessary information, and he doesn't know enough about this place yet to know how available they make themselves. Of course, they're not the only people he's willing to talk to; they're just the most visible. He's not going to turn anyone away, tired or no.

B

[temero]

A tall and broad-shouldered man in grey and blue robes seemed almost to appear at Raidou's elbow, just at the point where his vision began to blur. He spoke with a low voice, soft and smooth as the flow of slow-moving waters, encouraging the stranger.

"Leaving the egg is the first trial they must undergo, the first battle, the first struggle on the path the Great Beasts have set them on. It mirrors your own, by their will: accepting the discomfort of the new, the strange, the utterly alien... and forging forth."

The man touches neither of them, but his attention is raw and rapt- the singular focus of a religious man witnessing a great miracle. His shoulders trembled with tension beneath his heavy robes.

Emily Kaldwin | Dishonored

[arkhein]

Upper and Lower Nuren

[It remains difficult to parse what’s happening, and it almost feels as if Emily’s body moves on her own. Her mind remains entrenched in a stubborn sort of denial, finding it impossible to believe what’s truly happening around her — that her world had been overtaken, possibly destroyed by some demon, large and blocking out the light. And that she had been powerless to do anything except… wake up. Here, in this strange place, being called a “Scion”, getting clear stares of wonderment from certain locals. She had too many questions swirling within her, a great whirlwind in her mind that stole her focus from her, and allowed her to ask none. She would see for her own eyes, first. She had already been told of the five Great Beasts, and but it merely led to more questions, and that frustrated her, though Emily did her best to pack away the emotion in the back of her head for now.

Close to her chest, she clutches a smooth, dark-purple egg. It catches in the sun and glints a bright, iridescent glow. Emily holds it as she would a child, carefully and quite uncertain what to truly do with it — other than she must take care of it, for she felt a strong connection to the creature within. A protectiveness that no harm should come to it.

It’s after a bit of wandering that she finds a place of solitude, a bench along a quiet path that sits away from foot-traffic. She hesitates only a moment before sitting down, exhaling a short sigh, and craning her neck up to look at the sky above.]

How can this be?

Outer Nuren

[Eventually Emily makes her way to the outer parts of the city, and is met by the sight of the docks. The sounds and sights are familiar to her, the anchored ships swaying with the easy roll of the waves. The smell of fish catches in her nose, and she wrinkles it, only slightly. Turning, she sees a row a vendors, and people selling their wares — a small marketplace?

Out of curiosity (and wanting to avoid the pang of melancholic familiarity that comes from looking out at the sea), she moves towards the wares along the street, curiously looking at their wares. Some familiar, some certainly not.

She’s busy weaving in and out of a small crowd when she bumps into someone. She utters an apology.]

Excuse me.

Evening

[When night comes, Emily finds herself on a rooftop, looking over the street below. She was tired and frustrated, the pull of the memory of home beckoning at her, though she did not know what to do with it. She could not ignore it, but she could not return. She sits on the lip of a rooftop, quiet and frowning, letting the breeze play a few strands of hair that had come loose during her explorations.

She clutches her egg close to her, looking up and the fireworks, hearing the murmur of the crowd below. They’re excited, glad even, to have more Scions in their city. The mood is nearing that of a celebration itself, and Emily doesn’t have to strain her ears to hear laughter bubbling down below.

Never has she felt so alone.]

Upper and Lower Nuren

[temero]

Mortal men and women can only wonder at the play of order and disorder through the cosmos, and at what patterns and answers time will eventually reveal.

I know all of this must be grave and troubling, my lady Scion. If I can provide to you any peace or aid, I am yours.

[ The man who answers her is tall and broad-shouldered, but somehow... unimposing, despite that fact. His craggy face is tired, jaw shadowed by stubble gotten more of forgetfulness than design, and clad in the heavy robes of a local priest of high standing. ]

Tzilan | Original | Current Scion

[serpentking]

A - Lower Nuren after Sunset - Scion Meet and Greet

Tzilan is small and slight; a hardly imposing figure, a young man still a year or three before true adulthood could fill out his frame or give him better height. And he's dressed like an aristocrat, fine-fitting black tunic and surcoat and leggings all sparsely embroidered in white and gold thread serpents in interlocking weaves and patterns. He stands on a boulder set against the downward slope of the path, back to the cliffside, a horse-sized black wyvern at his back and harnessed in clanking chains. They chime and clank together as it moves, nostrils flaring, watching the processions of individual Scions and hissing when any get too close.

Tzilan's expression is flat, almost stormy; but here and there he might venture to call out, "How many new Scions, this time?"


B - Lower Nuren at Evening - Fireworks

Ratha had become too dangerous to permit to linger much longer; and was, at length, returned to his cave at the base of the mountain. It was curiously difficult, to chain the beast back, and then... to leave. It felt like leaving behind tooth and claw, and Tzilan went back to the city feeling naked somehow. Unprotected, vulnerable, and... weak.

Unable to shake the chill it left in him, he lingered on the edge of crowds which watched the fireworks, and declined offers of drink from eager tavern workers catering to the men and women thronging the streets. The priests he declined more politely, thanking them for their work and generosity.

"If they were wise, they'd wait to celebrate," he'd offer to one individual pressed close by the crowd, dark eyes focusing upward once more.


C - Lower Nuren at Midnight - Hunting

The presence of yet more new Scions troubled Tzilan greatly; it aggravated the animal alarms behind his eyes, jangled his already unsettled nerves. His inner voice hissed grim projections for the future, and encouraged him to all the self-protective habits of base beasts.

With too few allies gathered in a month to adequately supply his meals, Tzilan still had need to hunt; and all the many stressors of so much new made it an often-violent affair. His fine, form-fitting attire was forsaken for more simple blacks and a peasant's cowl and kerchief to hide his face, and like a thief he scaled walls and roofs to make for more derelict areas of the city to find a meal. Someone drunk from the celebrations, perhaps, or lost, or wound up overmuch in their own troubles.

Distantly, a last few fireworks went off intermittently, only here and there highlighting his small frame in relief against the night. News of new Scions had reached him, of course; but he had no mind to celebrate, and after sullenly spending an hour with Ratha and dourly watching festivities, he meant to work out a black tension with this hungry roving.

The sound of a shout below drew his attention from where it had focused inward, and he stepped to the edge of a rooftop, scowling down.

A

[enthraller]

"More than you're comfortable with, I'm sure."

Tzilan certainly looked unhappy enough about it, anyway. Saralegui approached with enough ease to counter that, lips quirked slightly and heedless of the hissing beast at the other man's back. His dragon, too, seemed unafraid, skipping on ahead to press her front legs up against the bolder and lean up in greeting.

Estinien Wyrmblood | Final Fantasy XIV | Newly arrived OTA

[dravanicide]

Upper Nuren

[The draw to the heart of the mountain was all too familiar, like a trance brought on by Nidhogg—a feeling he was all too familiar with by now. However, it did not end in ruin—his or otherwise—and instead he was now burdened with a red and black egg roughly the size of an ostrich egg. Once he was free of the mountain's enchantment, he had entertained the thought of tossing the egg aside, leaving it behind and progressing without it. However, he found himself unable to do as such, perhaps had this been a handful of months prior, the action would have been so much easier, but alas.

With the sense of Eorzea—more importantly Ishgard—supposedly being in ruin, or utterly destroyed, his mind was flooded with racing thoughts, his heart heavy. Little did he pay mind to those who would spare him welcoming words or smiles, he was quick to ignore them as he made his way through the city. Where he was going he scarcely knew, but he was content to learn the lay of the city, it would serve him well if he was indeed stuck here.

He takes little care to not bump shoulders with those passing by, if they would not move out of his way, he would make a way for himself. With how busy the streets were, with natives and scions alike, Estinien misliked the bustle, but would steel himself all the same.

Should you fall victim to the towering (he's 6'6) elezen's shoulder check, or find yourself scrambling out of his way, you'll find no apologies from him. Scarcely even a glance your way at all. He'll sooner trample those too slow underfoot, than move out of the way himself.]

Evening

[With the sun setting, Estinien's mood has hardly improved. He still cradles the egg in one arm, keeping it close in almost a protective manner he can't quite explain. Avoiding others is still his goal, but it proves a difficult feat with how many people there are, the fireworks only adding to it all. Visibly, it's obvious that the white-haired elezen is irritated, and seemingly inapproachable, but that doesn't seem to stop the natives from trying to offer him food, items, or stories.]

I care precious little for such trivialities, leave me.

[He practically growls this and other selfsame rebukes at those who attempt to bribe a friendship out of him. Before long, he'll be attempting to head to a tavern, because if there is one thing he needs, it's some ale. While he fully suspects them to be just as busy, it will at the very least have something he actually wants.

All he had wanted after the events in his homeland was to rest, and this is far from that. Halone must be testing him.]

Evening -- in the tavern, if that's ok?

[arkhein]

[Emily feels out of place in the tavern, the hum of the crowd doing little to ease her. For a moment, she wonders why she had even come; there were many who found refuge in the warmth and rowdiness of a tavern in the late evening, drinking their cares away. She feels as if there isn't enough alcohol in the world to do that much, so why bother?

Finding a place to rest her feet, she supposes, is worth it enough. It's a busy night, the atmosphere abuzz with news of the arrival of new scions, and many have tried to make conversation with Emily when they see the egg she carries close to her -- a dark purple, smooth and iridescent thing, which she keeps in her lap as she sits, having found a table closest to the door. (Just in case.)

When a white-haired stranger enters, she looks up to see that he hardly looks pleased. What's of more interest is the egg he keeps cradled in his arm, and Emily lifts a brow at what she can only assume is a fellow scion. Her interest is officially piqued, as she's found a strange sort of... distant camaraderie in speaking to those who have found themselves in the same situation as her.]

You don't look happy to be here.

[She decides to speak. It's hardly a criticism; just an observation.]

Luvander | The Volstovic Cycle | New & OTA

[theveilisin]

a | heart of nuren

[He stops at the entrance of the cavern, tilting his head back to follow the curve of the ceiling far above, before allowing it to flit across the strange surface below. Are those... eggs?

It's taking a lot of self-control to stop at all, but it feels like it's only hours before he and his friends broke into a prison, and he's keyed up like anything. Add that to the strange dream, the sense of loss which even now persists, and ending up in this unfamiliar place... Well, even if he can't resist whatever this is for long, it only makes sense to be cautious.]

Pardon me, but would I be right in assuming that we're all feeling like we ought to be here? I need to know, you see, in order to determine exactly how cracked I might be.

[The question is directed at whoever enters at the moment, accompanied by a friendly grin.]

b | outer nuren

[Being one of the few surviving airmen had caused heads to turn back home too, and he was pestered regularly by curious strangers back in Thremedon. While he'd grown very apt at dealing with it, even rather enjoying the encounters most of the time, he recalls what it had been like during the first time after he returned from the war.

He recalls where he'd gone to avoid it too. In the slums in Molly people were markedly less impressed, and more used to pretend they'd never seen or heard of him.

And that's why he's found himself a bar in the outer end of the city, nursing a drink which is slowly allowing him to relax at least somewhat. The small, copper-skinned creature - he can't think of her as a dragon, not yet - is tangled up in his newly acquired scarf, sleeping fitfully wrapped around his neck.

He nods at anyone in his vicinity who appears to have acquired a passenger of their own, whether it be a hatchling or an egg.]

I haven't done any babysitting since I was sixteen or so. [He pauses, giving his half-full drink a steady, very serious look.] No, wait, I tell a lie. If you count the military, I've been practically doing it all of my life.

c | Evening

[A couple of drinks had done him no end of good, and he feels better prepared to deal with the world around him by now. He's regained much of his flair and lighthearted presence, easily picking up conversations and drifting from group to group in the light from the sky.

Except he's pointedly avoiding looking at the sky, especially whenever it's lit by fire.

He's still having a pretty good time, and has honestly half forgotten by the creature attached to him. At least until she wakes up, takes offense at someone passing by too close, and lunges. Congratulations, you now have a small irate dragon either trying very hard to attack your ear, or already hanging from it by her tiny, needle-sharp teeth. Her Scion seems a little bit at a loss.]

While I don't mind wearing you as an accessory, little lady, I'm not the same goes for- [He offers the unfortunate victim of of the tiny dragon attack an exasperated smile while gently trying to remove the creature from their person.] -I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

b;

[handtowels]

[It has been quite a month for Takatora. As much of a blessing it is to have two of his dead loved ones returned to life -- Yoshitsugu, Lady Oichi -- their presence has also brought the memories of their violent ends forth. Less frequently, the more time he passes here, but still too vividly for his peace of mind. He finds it helps to take Fuji out on a long, thorough walk around Nuren when he begins to feel overwhelmed. On this particular walk, when he sees the tavern, he chooses to go inside. An occasional drink can be pleasant. His dragon is old enough now that he can maybe get away with just one.

Which is how he is found nearby, having just got his hands on a mug of ale and now looking for where best to seat himself as he slowly walks, with a lilac-blue and white marbled dragon the size of small horse walking at his side. One of his gloved hands rests on her scales.

At that remark, Takatora stops, glancing the other scion's way. His voice and expression are wry, with an underlying streak of amusement.]

What kind of comparison is that?

Izanami | Persona 4 | New and OTA

[thefoglies]

[Upper Nuren] Hey there! You look like you just arrived here too. [ The person that approaches is outwardly friendly, a huge smile on... his? Her? It's hard to tell. Either way, they seem almost overly friendly and welcoming, despite clearly being among the new arrivals, considering the blue and green serpentine newborn dragon wrapped around their arm. Even the dragon seemed confused by her scion, occasionally peering at them up and down, as if trying to figure something out... like why she had taken on a slightly different appearance. ] [ Internally, Izanami was still seething in irritation. She didn't appreciate the false memories -- because considering the determination of the children on her world, they had to be false -- and even less appreciated someone else manipulating her appearance. Even she did not want to think about the powers that needed to be involved in manipulating her in such a manner, and she couldn't even fathom why anyone would want to make such an attempt. She refused to think the result would have been the same if she had been at her full strength, and not still recovering from her last battle. That would imply things she refused to accept. ] [ Still, she had her powers; that was the important thing, more than anything else. Still, she had to stay her hand from changing her appearance overly much, but even the little things made it easier to slip into her gas station attendant persona, even without the uniform. Her eyes were grey instead of red, and her curly hair was matted and unkempt, looking like it had spent most of its life plastered to her head thanks to a baseball cap. She changed the tunic and skirt she arrived in for a loose shirt and pants, making her gender hard to place. ] [ If it hadn't confused her dragon so much, it probably would have been much more convincing. ] Hey... did the same thing happen for you too? You know... when you arrived? [Outer Nuren] [ It isn't until Izanami's had her fill of what information she can gather from the upper and lower parts of the city that she finds herself following the scent of the sea to the outer areas. The lack of interest at her presence was the first thing she noticed, and she found herself letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Anxiety; that was what caused that relief to come rolling from her. A place that she could easily blend and mold into, even with her dragon marking her as a scion, was a welcome relief. ] [ Speaking of... Izanami tilted her head to the side, glancing at the small creature. She was still curled around her arm, though now her head was nestled against her shoulder, eyes closed as she snoozed quietly. Izanami couldn't help the small smile that came to her face, reaching up to stroke her scaled head gently. ] Well now, young one; shall we find a safe place to rest? [ The dragon cracked an eye open, letting out a soft, sleepy sounding trill that drew a soft chuckle out of her. ] I take that as a yes.

upper nuren

[impheired]

[From the way Fuyuhiko is looking around, it's pretty obvious that he's new here too. He may not have a dragon on him, but he's examining his surroundings with an air of unfamiliarity that makes it clear he's not from around here. Unlike Izanami, he's not exactly the friendliest looking guy, but he doesn't try to shoo the...man...woman...person away when they approach. Instead, he looks up from the display of scrying items set out on the booth in front of him, quirking a brow quizzically.]

Err...yeah, I did. But you're gonna have to be a more specific than that. Lotsa shit happened when I got here, what weird thing are you asking about specifically?