Cecil Mortimer Winterscales V (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nobold) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
iridescentfrontiers2022-07-24 03:16 am
nobold) wrote in iridescentfrontiers2022-07-24 03:16 am
Wild Freaks
(The investigation's on the verge of a breakthrough. Thanks to numerous researchers and hunters constantly at work, the qurio trail was red hot. While some hunters would see to aggravated monsters, some kept to the pursuit. Together, they earned that breakthrough, first happened upon by a hunter for hire.
Cecil peeks up at the bright purple sky, tilting his dragonsbane hat up to watch the stray qurio make their way to the Citadel. How their songs filled the night sky and their formation was kept tight, all towards the remnants of the castle itself. Returning home, from the looks of it. They wouldn't fly so closely if they were out hunting. No, they're returning to their master, giving him the teostra's share of life energy and letting them continue their parasitic lives. They take him out, they solve this whole mess.
But before Cecil can report on a mission complete, he needs a visual on Malzeno. A thorough glimpse will be enough; scoutflies could easily mark the path forward, but the kobold keeps them pocketed for now. Their bright hues may alert the elder dragon and he can't take that risk, no matter how much he wants to be part of the fight. With dual blades at the ready, Cecil keeps to a light and quick foot, following the purple path above him, following it deep into the ruins...)
Cecil peeks up at the bright purple sky, tilting his dragonsbane hat up to watch the stray qurio make their way to the Citadel. How their songs filled the night sky and their formation was kept tight, all towards the remnants of the castle itself. Returning home, from the looks of it. They wouldn't fly so closely if they were out hunting. No, they're returning to their master, giving him the teostra's share of life energy and letting them continue their parasitic lives. They take him out, they solve this whole mess.
But before Cecil can report on a mission complete, he needs a visual on Malzeno. A thorough glimpse will be enough; scoutflies could easily mark the path forward, but the kobold keeps them pocketed for now. Their bright hues may alert the elder dragon and he can't take that risk, no matter how much he wants to be part of the fight. With dual blades at the ready, Cecil keeps to a light and quick foot, following the purple path above him, following it deep into the ruins...)
no subject
(The kobold composes him, slowly drawing his second blade and observing the elder dragon's movements.)
For countless generations, have they provoked conflict with the other. Quick are dragons to forget how their aggression pushed mankind to desperation. Quick is man to forget the disgusting actions they've taken in the name of righteousness. Had this conflict not been allowed to escalate, the black dragons would not have risen.
(He points one of his daggers at Malzeno.)
While you gorge on life essence and insist humans are no better, a history no one's learned from prepares to repeat itself. From one dragon to another, I offer you one chance. Temper your hunger and leave this place. And take your servants with you.
no subject
And put an end to the greatest feast I've had in millennia...? I think not. I've abided by the pleas of hunters in the past, quietly had my rest as humanity clapped each other on the back and praised relative peace...
[He lowered to all fours, cloak opening to a pair of wings that stretched wide, coursed with a red energy. The qurios crawled over his body like so many ants, chittering in newfound excitement. He only needed a little more energy...]
...I grow tired of eating so -little-, that gnaw of the belly, the stop of that pleasurable thrum of power coursing through my scales. This time, I think I'll treat myself! Beginning with YOU!
[A little more was right in front of him! The wings came down, sending a cloud of screeching, ravenous qurios. Mindless servants were the very best kind.]
no subject
So be it.
(A cross of blades and the hunter is wrapped in an aura of his own, his speed greatly increased as he closes the distance between himself and his target, his approach marked with a whirlwind dash of blade slashes.)
no subject
He danced away from the initial assault, but heard a signature tink, tink as a few reddish-silver scales went flying to gleam against the muddied stone. Ah... making him bleed his own blood. What an ironic twist! This dance surely must continue.
He threw himself backward, his wings filling with the cross breeze to balance him as he thrust his craggy, feather-dabbled tail. The hunter would use blade, and so too shall he!]
Ahh, a change from the sea of longswords and wyverian one-liners! I must thank you for this refreshing change of pace!
no subject
Glad to be of service. Keep in mind that there's no plans to make this dinner and a show.
(A few rising swings along that tail attempt to throw Malzeno off balance.)
no subject
Yet as he thrashed in his momentary disoriented state, the qurio all over his body had begun to shriek and pulse, and more had begun to descend...]
no subject
The knockdown offers Cecil quite the opportunity to do some damage. Instead of focusing solely on Malzeno, he decides to target both the elder dragon and his servants. With a leap, the hunter becomes a flurry of blades, slicing from tail to head. He knows the best way to deal with the qurio is to remove their master entirely, but having their corpses hit the ground will send the message he wants to send.)
no subject
The time for words was over. Though wounded, the malzeno's eyes burned as he was back to his fours. This little creature bid him actually exert effort, is that it?
With a resounding roar, his scales blackened, thrummed with deep red energy in crevices between. Wreathed in shadow, he leaped back and opened his wings from their cloak-like state.
He thrust them to the earth, the land beneath them splitting to make way for waves of an unfathomable energy twisting and arcing. All he needed was a moment... only a moment... he was quite finished with this little game of theirs.]
no subject
Dumb nicknames didn't make it any less threatening, however. Malzeno's fury could be felt in the air as well as the ground, concentrated energy traveling across like a shockwave. Though Cecil prepared to dodge, it's the twisting and arcing that lead to a fumble.
The impact not only launches Cecil backwards, but throws him into the nearest wall. Were it not for that, he could recover quickly, but that misstep has left him more open than he'd like.)
no subject
As the rocks cleared, there was his fallen prey. Ah. Then he could have this creature pay for the energy it took to enter his frenzied state.
With the growl of an animal, he reached out and snatched up the kobold. Missing scales here and there, sharp cracks running down his tail, the malzeno had definitely seen better days. But a good meal always set things right. He reared up on his legs and twitched his wings forward, sealing the rest of the world away.
The qurios were still. They weren't needed. The dragon lowers his head, using the bony mask to ease Cecil's head aside in an almost uncharacteristic tenderness, the breath against his scales quaking in hardly-suppressed glee.
His embrace was firm, covetous, before it was joined with a pinch as fangs sank in.]
no subject
Cecil completely tenses up and his blades drop to the ground. Malzeno's had more than his share of dragon blood lately (a problem the people of Elgado have long since noticed), but the troublesome hunter can add himself to those sampled by the elder dragon. Adrenaline coursed through him, an additional flavor to the kobold's mixed heritage.
And what a mix it is! Lagiacrus just don't show up around these parts. Seregios, certainly, but there's something different in the flavor. Something perhaps even Malzeno hasn't tasted before. All these random tastes obscuring something rich, something chaotic. Ironic how the little pest was rambling about the black dragons just a moment ago...
With his vigor being drained out of him, the kobold's movements begin to slow. Pulling away isn't an option and Malzeno's bite is too strong for him to force open. With a waning effort and growing lightheadedness, he reaches for his carving knife to try and free himself.)
no subject
What was this? Blood of eld, of mystery... of chaos, it seems... had he less self-control his eyes would roll back in the bliss of it. Instead, he would quickly resolve himself not to drain this one dry. No, his curiosity was growing to overcome his anger. When he loosened his jaws, a long forked tongue swept against the wounds made, giving just a touch of stolen power back to ease them closed. Enjoy the bloodblight, little hunter.]
...Just what -are- you...?
no subject
The displeased growl isn't just because of his situation.
Weakly, the kobold composes himself and collects his dual blades, returning them to their sheaths for the time being.)
I am...neither dragon nor hunter. I am what remains of attempts to control the power of the black dragons. Alatreon's mastery over the elements was always unstable, but man, in his hubris, believed stability would result from refining its blood with monsters. Much like their other forbidden experiments, it lead to the destruction of civilizations.
Despite my efforts, I find myself drawn towards conflict between man and monster. Notably less of a threat to all, I would say, and a warning of what may come that I cannot speak without compromising myself.
Do you now understand why I cannot look away from the qurio and the feast they provide you?
no subject
Then worry not of compromising yourself any further. 'Tis nothing of my concern what humans and dragons do, for they have fought long before either of us and will continue long after we are stardust.
The qurio are a helpful tool of another's make, at any rate. I simply borrow them. Their true ruler has no name, and makes those craters the humans soil themselves over each generation.
[But don't mind him as he uses a claw to give Cecil's chin a little nudge from one side to the other. The malzeno was inspecting him... and as he perched on his haunches, those burning red eyes danced in amusement.]
However, it -has- been some time since I have forsaken energy for something more... mmm... tangible~ Knowing now what flows in your veins, had you simply offered yourself to me, we would have had no need for that earlier, silly dance...
no subject
(The kobold had been muttering to himself, reassessing the progress the investigation's been made. Malzeno's not their creator, but certainly not a victim, either.
And then he finds himself being inspected. Appraised, even. He's embarrassed by the growing blush in his face, cheeks so red, it's as if the kobold hadn't just been drained by a vampire. He blames what must be delirium on the bloodblight.)
O-offer myself to you? Why in Gog's name would I surrender myself to the life of a...a juice bag
no subject
A juice bag...? HA HA HA...! Ohhh, that one is quite new, but you belittle yourself. Why, in thanks for the feast, I have in fact given you something in return. My boon...
[A claw ran its flat against Cecil's neck in a tenderest little caress.]
Though your head swims as your heart pumps to recover what I've taken, do you not feel my gift buzzing in your fingertips...? Until these marks of mine heal completely, you will draw strength from what you hunt, cut by precious cut of your blades.
[His wings curled tighter, only the dread moon's light filtering in.]
The strength to triumph over your quarry... to perhaps warm the people of Elgado to your convictions~?
no subject
The kobold could disguise his Alatreon heritage by wielding the elements as humans did, channeled through twin blades that let him disperse energy. Would they warm up to him, if they learned he has such power? Would it draw further suspicion and reach the conclusion he dreads? Temporary or no, they would notice how what took Fiorayne out of commission only empowers him.
The lines of questions and the blood tests alone would tell them everything. Would they care about his convictions after that?
Cecil approaches the elder dragon, head ducked down, welcoming the dragon's embrace with one of his own.)
no subject
Quick with a blade and a passion that burns in your heart... tell me, whatever are you called?
[A claw alighted the back of the much smaller figure. Perhaps it was their blood that had softened his gaze, buzzing through his system like the sweetest of wines and intoxicating him all the same.]
no subject
Cecil.
(Pardon the little wiggling; the qurio are tickling his nose. The elder dragon's touch settles him again.)
Heh. Human tongues have decided to call you Malzeno. They so try to be creative with their names, but don't always succeed.