luteoflaughs

[luteoflaughs]

And Tomas would ensure Spryo wouldn't catch on easily since not long later Tomas whispered a magical word to turn himself invisible save for his tail which was still made to look like a butterfly. It would keep moving just out of Spyro's reach whenever he jumped for it.

This was what Spyro should always have been. He never should have been forced to become a hero. Tomas wished the others would see what forcing a youngling to do such things would do. Even if Spyro seemed fine now he likely would always feel like he would have to save the day. A pressure would always be felt deep within. A pressure that a kid shouldn't ever have to feel. It was a loss of innocence.

Tomas himself had something bad happen to him. Hence was why he was so invested in ensuring Spyro had as much of a peaceful childhood as he could. He loved the youngling that much.

@gemscales-and-tea

There's a little yip from the young dragon as his nose is booped, one front paw coming up to rub at it a second. Why the cheek! He's not going to take that! A quick crouch and the dragonling is after his new target while laughing. So he's not catching on right away but was that a bad thing? At least he was having fun with it.

"Hahaha!"

After all, it's been a while since Spyro was allowed to just be a young dragon and have fun.

[luteoflaughs]

Eventually Tomas snuck in from behind the young dragon and used magic to make his own tail look like a dragonfly. He waved the tail in-front of Spyro mimicking what a dragonfly would do. And when he lept for it Tomas get kept moving it just out of the way before having it boop Spyro's nose as a kind of challenge to the dragon.

Tomas would continue to do this until Spyro caught on to his prank. A silly harmless little thing but still something amusing. A bard needed to find some enjoyment while they struggled with work.

@gemscales-and-tea

"Hup! Hup!"

Gleeful and carefree he runs about, pouncing after fireflies that have decided to emerge from the grass. Of course, he's not hurting them a bit.

[luteoflaughs]

See? Isn't this fun? And this power you have is all thanks to me. You could never have done this in the past. It is all thanks to my gift to you. To the powers that I granted to you, the powers I taught you.

Tomas smiles a small glint of purple showing for a slight moment as he relishes in this enjoyment. Such a funny joke! Tomas would sit atop where Bubba had fallen and use him as a throne. He would then offer a hand out to Lindar to sit upon his lap because they deserve it.

"Let's enjoy a nice day out in the sun. We'll let him out later when we've had our fun. Does that sound fun to you my sweet?"

Tomas came across as a tad more confidant than he normally was. But not overly so, one could still think it was due to the joke. It wouldn't be noticed, then again this was what Tomas had wanted deep down. To feel in control for once to feel like his will mattered.

"Come...its the best seat in the meadow."

Lindar as well could not help but join in the mirth as he practically rolled out of his hiding spot, tumbling along the ground as he held his sides in laughter!

“Oh man, it’s even better the second time I swear!” After a few more moments of hysteria, the clockmaker sat up and wiped a tear from his eye, face still full of mirth. “Ah, Tommy, you really outdid yourself. So, what’s next for our big captive friend here?”

Bubba meanwhile merely grumbled, a sound muffled by the ground around his head and upper body. Oh he was going to get these jokers as soon as he got out.

[luteoflaughs]

"Oh no...its ok...I didn't expect you to know. I didn't want you to know, I knew for so long that if I dared to let my feelings show it would be used against me. How could I not? The deal was made long before I came back from the place I was taken to. And no one was there to save me. I was crying...and crying...forever wandering in that place."

As Tomas was being hugged there is a slight trace of purple light that shone behind the dragon's eyes for a brief moment. As someone who had watched Tomas's mannerisms for years on end the being knew exactly how Tomas would react in this moment. It played the role perfectly as any ideal actor would be able to do upon the stage.

"So many times...I wondered if I would ever escape...it was truly terrible Nestor...so terrible...but now I can finally let it go..."

"Tomas" held Nestor as tightly as he could so as to sell the illusion. The real Tomas was gone, he had tried to fight back in that moment but the foolish bard had so little self left it was nothing to simply crush it. The being was all that remained now within this body. A body it had waited so long to take for itself. A wonderful perfect body, Nestor had been a means to that end truthfully. A mere piece to use to torment Tomas into breaking entirely. Having to pretend like this was so bothersome, but it would wait and when alone it would leave to do its dark designs once more. Free to live once more.

"By your side I can do anything..."

(Nestor)

The Artisan leader had not been prepared for the chain reaction his kiss and confession triggered, the green dragon needing to back away and shield his eyes briefly from the magical glow that emanated from all of Tomas’s adornments.

Only once the light show ended, leaving Tomas looking more barren than usual, did Nestor eye him warily. “Tom…are you yourself again?”

Imagine the emerald dragon’s great relief when Tomas returned to talking like his regular self again, albeit in a more subdued manner.

Moved by sheer relief, Nestor enveloped the bard in a strong hug, his muscled arms wrapped around the yellow dragon’s bony shoulders, doing his best to hold back tears lest he make the bard feel guilty for scaring him. “I thought I’d lost you. Tommy… I’m so sorry for ignoring your heart all these years. If I had known…”

[luteoflaughs]

Tomas nods a bright smile appearing upon his face. He was overjoyed that Lindar got the word. Why he had chosen that word above all others was something only he knew. And since his beloved got it right then it only made sense to reward him now.

"So glad you got it. Why I only had to go easy on your once by only drawing a horn instead of the whole body part it belonged to."

Tomas drew closer to where Lindar was sitting down before then laying atop the blue dragon and pulling himself close.

"Since you got it right, why don't I reward you?"

Lindar pumped his fist in celebration for the small victory- and the thrill of a score sent the gears of his mind grinding faster than ever before- which triggered an epiphany that made them screech to a halt.

Wait…

Six letter word…

A…

Which most often followed by ’t’, or ’d’ or, occasionally, an ‘r’.

'AR’...

Six letter word…

Lindar face-palmed so hard he left a mark on his forehead.

“I’m a dolt!” He cried suddenly. He ran a hand down his face and rolled his eyes at his own stupidity.

“The word: it’s 'Lindar’ isn’t it?”

[luteoflaughs]

"I said beg...or maybe we should have you grovel..."

There is a sinister purple light that shines from Tomas's eyes. It tries to take hold within Lindar's mind. A commanding force of magic that Tomas had never shown before. Now, it had been made clear in the past that Tomas's music could influence people for brief moments. But, most of that magic tended to give courage and strength. This wasn't like that, this was a command. Tomas was using magic to force Lindar to grovel onto the floor. Beg for his forgiveness.

Spell

Now, if Lindar's will was strong enough he could resist the spell. But, he did know that Tomas had casted that magic upon him. This wasn't Tomas, he would never do something like that. Maybe, as a joke sometimes but this air of creulty to it was so off.

"Do as I say, you gave your heart to me right? Then listen to me..."

Lindar flinched a little, wincing at the accusatory tone the bard suddenly took. At first, the clockmaker agreed with him- I mean, a lute wasn't a clock, how could he fix this?- But then Tomas' entire demeanor seemed to...change. Lindar sensed it, and though he didn't know what exactly was going on, it felt...off. His scales along his shoulders bristled a little, before smoothing down, and his wings settled against his back.

He blinked at him. "...Beg? I mean, I get that lute meant so much to you, but it's not irreparable, and if it were, believe me, I would be on my hands and knees right now."

He chuckled, but more out of nervousness than anything else. The horologist then swallowed, and took a slight step forward.

"...Are you ok, Tom? Is there something else going on here, and me blundering along to smash your lute was the last straw or something?"

Once more, trying to alleviate the tension around them with a little humor- but the levity did little to help; in fact, it seemed to stretch that tension even thinner.

[luteoflaughs]

Tomas nods, finally it appeared that Lindar was getting it.

The Word

_ _ _ _ A _

Hints:

None so far.

Letters Used:

E Z J A

It was far more simpler than Lindar even knew. One might say it was a word he used many times. A word very close to Lindar.

Lindar tapped his chin, leaning back a little further as he thought. This was a tough one: best go back to the basics. It was worth a try.

“Hmmm…Is there an A in your mystery word?”

Nothing wrong with throwing out the vowels, when going off the beaten track proved unsuccessful. .

[luteoflaughs]

Now, Tomas was upset that much was clear. The bard would be nothing without his prize instrument. However, Tomas was never someone to guilt someone for doing wrong or hold above their head unless it was like a joke. Right now though, there was a harshness to the yellow dragon's gaze as he looked upon Lindar. Tomas at this point would forget what happened from this point as someone else spoke. Someone who wasn't Tomas someone using the bard.

"I am very disappointed with you. That instrument means so much to me you know? Nestor made it for me! Oh serpents...how can I..."

Tomas had maybe said this before, but the tone of voice "Tomas" used was far more accusatory. Far more creul, and far more cold. The bard's words were hurtful, intentionally so which was unlike Tomas.

"How can I possibly trust you with this? You're not a instrument maker, you make clocks they are hardly the same thing."

"Tomas" rose up looking down upon the blue dragon with a huff.

"Maybe, if you beg for my forgiveness I might overlook it..."

That wasn't something Tomas would ever normally say. Not once would he ever ask that. Maybe, if they were acting but "Tomas" seemed to imply that he expected that response.

Lindar gasped, clapping his talons over his mouth in shock. This was last thing he had wanted to happen- but it had. Tomas' lute was broken, and it was all his stupid fault. Why couldn't he have just walked up to him and greeted him like a normal dragon?!

Lindar immediately knelt down next to the broken instrument, looking it over. The damage didn't seem too horrible- but instruments tended to be delicate, and any minor detail thrown off could ruin its quality. If he was going to fix this, he had to be careful.

"Tomas, no words can accurately describe how sorry I am," he said. "I shouldn't have- I should have known- I'm sorry."

He sighed, and seemed to try to get his wits together before he responded again.

"...Ok, but the damage doesn't seem too bad. I think I can fix this, if you'll let me. You think you could trust me to give it a shot?"

[luteoflaughs]

"Ahhh! What...ah...serpent..."

Tomas was certainly surprised but the sudden intrusion by one sky blue dragon. So shocked was he that he soon dropped his lute to the ground making a sound which came off like something breaking. Tomas then looked distraught before then looking over the object.

The lute had been personally made by Nestor a long time ago. He supposed he maybe shouldn't still hold onto it like he did since he was with Lindar now. But, in this moment the bard looked so sad.

"You scared me! Now my lute's broken dummy..."

This was in character for Lindar the bard was sure he could guilt the other into fixing it since this was his fault for surprising him. Tomas never tended to react well to things jumping out at him. Lindar should've known that...he might have wanted to see it happen...

Fortunately for the bard, there was someone coming around- a certain timekeeper, to be exact. He had been out on a stroll through the grassy meadows of the Artisan lands, just trying to take a break and rejuvenate his eyes and mind after so much time spent in his shop. That was when he heard a dulcet melody, the sound of lute music, humming through the air. Lindar stopped in his tracks, closing his eyes and just taking it in.

He only knew one dragon who could produce music like that. The clockmaker opened his eyes again, smiling to himself. It had been sometime. Maybe he should surprise him.

Lindar grinned to himself and chuckled mischievously, before ducking behind some hedges, weaving a path towards where Tomas was. Carefully, slowly and silently, Lindar crept out behind Tomas...then he shouted:

"HEY TOMMY!- Lovely day for a soliloquy, huh?" He chuckled.

[luteoflaughs]

The music Tomas played was wonderful, there was nary a day where Tomas wasn’t strumming his lute in some respect. He was in constant search of new ideas. It wasn’t an easy art to master being a bard, but Tomas strived to be as exciting as he could be. Entertaining the realms was a task only a few dragons could pull off. Darius was certainly a rival to Tomas in that respect. So, in an attempt to beat that white scaled blowhard Tomas spent hours thinking, shaking his head, and throwing balls of paper everywhere. The creative process was a hard one. However, Tomas would never admit defeat. Not to Darius!

Song

“Just you wait Darius! My next performance will be a thousand times better than yours! You may think I didn’t notice that joke you snuck in there about bards. But, I did! I saw it! Calling my stories too overdone? Have you looked in the mirror lately? I could have sworn you used the same plot point in your last production. Honestly, calling me overdone? I mean, come on...”

Tomas didn’t really hate Darius, he was simply playing up the drama. Both dragons were lovers of attention. And nothing was more exciting than to see than a rivalry. It pushed Darius and Tomas to work harder, so that they could bring out the best in one another. Such determination could not be matched.

The main problem was, Tomas was stumped. He couldn’t think of anything. At times like this, Tomas would turn to Spyro or another for some help. No one was around at the moment though or was there?

@timekeeperlindar

[luteoflaughs]

"Haha, most amusing. I see you are not so foolish to take one at their word. And you seem to prefer to be in a weightless space. Even slight things can show much about a person. I very much enjoy to see what I can learn from the smallest of interactions. It is such a wonder."

Lateef soon closed his eyes making the carpet vanish into nothing. He now floated too with just as much skill in the weightlessness. He soon appeared to turn upside down to view Fox from another angle than he had been before. There was amusement upon his face.

"I wasn't lying, I do consider myself to be merely a traveller. Others have their titles for me, yet I never let that define who I am. In my eyes a traveller is someone who is constantly seeking something. And I am the same, for I desire to find the deepest truths that exist."

The stars then seemed to dance around the dragon.

"And I seek to aid others, for shared truths lead to understanding."

What one sees when one sleeps can often be beyond belief...

Yeah, no kiddin'!!

A traveller and nothing more? It's Fox's understanding that nobody is strictly one thing... and if this guy's just a figment of his own subconscious, surely this understanding would hold to be true?

And besides, why would he dream up someone so tight-lipped about themself in the first place? He's always happy to get to know people, and that shouldn't be any different just because he's dreaming!

He eyes the expanding rug impassively for a beat.

"...Y'know? I don't think that's all we can do. This is my dream, so what I say goes--gimme something to work with, or we can sit in reflective silence until I wake up."

Rather than making to move towards Lateef's sitting space, Fox gets comfortable where he is in zero-gravity--hands behind his head, legs crossed at the ankles, as if he's reclining on phantom furniture. Floating suits him just fine!

"So go on. Tell me a bit about yourself. Where're you travelling from?" Fox really is curious to know the answer to that in the moment, given he's a traveller of some means himself.

[luteoflaughs]

"Haha, it is ok if you do not believe this is happening. What one sees when one sleeps can often be beyond belief. However, I will not bore you let us enjoy our meeting as best we can."

Latty as he called himself extended the rug to reach out more towards the floating fox so he could have something solid to stand upon. That tended to help people become more grounded in dreams.

"As for my deal, I do believe I told you. I am a traveller...nothing more."

There is a warm smile coming from the blue feathery dragon.

"Since we have exchanged names, why not talk? It is all we can do here at present, I wouldn't want to do anything to alter your dream., Though, I easily could if you so wanted me to."

The hell?

That's... a lot of information to take in at once. Especially so considering how, confusingly, it sort of feels like he just woke up. A dream of drifting in space without the aid of a spacecraft or spacesuit isn't out of the question for Fox, sure, but a dream of drifting in space with a dragon guy talking about souls and collectives? Sitting on a magic rug in-vacuum?

...Maybe it's a sign I ought'a cool it with the late night snacks...

Whatever the case, strangely enough, he does remember going to bed. So there can't be any harm if it's just a dream. Right?

"...If you say so! Name's Fox. I'd say it's nice to meet'cha too but I got work in the morning, and this is... a lot." Unaware of whatever mechanism by which one can move in a dream--or if he even can move--he remains suspended in the ether.

"What's your deal anyway?"

[luteoflaughs]

Song

"Ahh...looks like a new visitor has entered the collective. Have no fear traveller for you are safe. We are simply conversing through dreams. You are in no danger, you still slumber where you rest your head. Fate has simply allowed for our souls to cross paths within this place between mind and matter. I am Lateef pleasure to meet you."

The dragon was floating through an endless expanse of blue stars and galaxies. He was far bigger than the being before him. Yet, there was no hostility only a sense of peace and tranqulity. He soon sat down creating a mat which formed from nothing so the two could stand upon something solid within this wonderous expanse.

"You may call me Latty if it makes it easier. For we are both travellers, we shouldn't be formal. But enjoy the time we have to converse."

@ill-go-it-alone

[luteoflaughs]

Song

The smell of incense wafted through a tent. There was not a sound to be heard, no sound of war, no sound of a crowd, only the steady breathing of one dragon sat in tranquil peace while resting upon his tail. This was Lateef, the leader of the Dream Weavers. Unlike the other Elders Lateef was soft spoken, most of the time you could barely notice he was there despite how he looked. Yet, when he did speak one couldn't help but listen. For his very presance was like his namesake a dream. Calming, peaceful, full of joy, and spiritually fore filling. He moved to the tune of his own drum and wanted to ensure others were allowed to do the same no matter what ailed them.

For Dream Weavers despite not being as physically imposing as the Peace Keepers, magical masters like the Magic Crafters, artistically gifted like the Artisans, or intune with the earth like the Beast Makers. Their purpose was far more esoteric. While others delved outwards into the vast realms for many purposes, they practiced magics that allowed one to delve into the deepest mysteries of all. The collective unconsciousness of all beings in all worlds. A vast world of dreams that lay beyond reach for many save for those skilled in its traversal. Lateef had spent much time mastering such skills.

Hence was why someone recovering from a terrible ordeal was now before the leader of the Weavers. For Lateef was the master of mind, spirit, dreams, and soul. If anyone could help get them used to being among the world once more it would be this master of dreams.

"Fret not the position is hard for beginners, yet I am truly impressed by how hard you are trying. That spark is already a good sign."

A warm smile appeared upon the dragon's face. His yellow eyes like shining stars within a bright blue night's sky. Like nothing could ever remove the joy that lay within himself. For he was the one who protected everyone from the worst monsters of all. The ones that came from within to strike when one was at their lowest. Because despite the many terrible monsters that lurk in shadows. The creatures created from one's own negative emotions were the aspects of the self that hurt the most.

Yet, not all change was bad. Not all horrors without purpose, all aspects of the world were teachers for the self. One simply needed to find the best way for those lessons to reach true understanding.

"Have no fears, I shall be here to guide you."

@nihoneshi

[luteoflaughs]

Music could not have spells within it, it could just be a simple tune that reached to everyone who heard. Yet, not this song this was a song of memories one reflecting the past along with the suffering it brought. Tomas looked upon a scene playing out before him as he played his tune. For in order to craft a portal to the fae wilds Tomas needed to see what happened back then to recreate the portal himself.

As Ragnar was entering the maze, he would enter the field of the spell though he wouldn't see the three dragons that ran by him as the memory played out. One was a younger Tomas when he was still walking on four legs, as well as younger versions of Lindar, and much bigger dragon who was Bubba. The three were key to this story.

No words were heard yet it was clear the three were arguing with one another. The younger Tomas was crying, hiding behind Lindar who was giving a glare towards Bubba. Bubba had bullied both Tomas and Lindar when they were younglings. Tomas back then had been an utter coward always hiding behind others than face anything himself.

Tomas could only curse himself for still being that same coward deep down. This all started because of a childish level of bullying. Tomas was scared away by Bubba scaring him. Lindar had been his childhood friend being by his side all the time due to them being two Artisans who suffered due to Tomas's strange horns and Lindar's lack of horns. It had been what caused Tomas to retreat deeper.

And when he was alone, that was when the horrors truly began.

A being appeared before the young Tomas. Even when the adult Tomas saw it the shuddering was intense. He was shaking in absolute terror when "he" came from the wilds. Even back then, the young Tomas had known something was off about this thing. The young dragon tried to pull away from this mushroom like being. But vines began to wrap around the young dragon dragging him towards part of the hedge. Adult Tomas was frozen when this was happening.

"No...focus upon the portal...don't look...do not..."

Tomas looked towards where the hedge was. He saw the symbols in the air, felt the magic within his scales. Yes, so that was what he needed. Yes, this would work...but serpent this hurt so much to see.

From the way the younger Tomas looked he was trying to scream but vines had wrapped themselves around his mouth so he couldn't. The being made a shushing gesture while still smiling towards Tomas.

Ragnar; being who he was at this point in time. Had gotten tired of Titan and Cosmos' inability to do anything about Tomas' crimes against their brethren. The axe in his hand meant he was there for one thing and one thing only--putting an end to things. To his suffering, to the lack of Justice the Peacekeepers were supposed to have been dishing out. Even after killing Brini, even after coming back home--that arduous flight all the way back that rotted his heart.

No one paid him any mind, didn't look out for him--nothing had changed in that short time he was gone. That had to change. Mother Serpent guide him through these desperate times, because the indigo dragon couldn't hold onto it anymore. Did Nestor already know? What was going on? Bar few, Ragnar perhaps didn't really care anymore.

Time slowed to an insufferable pace without Halvor around, without the daily pangs of actually being a functioning member of their society, he'd hear the lute from a-far. A twinge of vitriol shot down his spine, the grip on his axe gets tighter. He hadn't held this thing since the war--and yet Halvor's death decided to bring the worst out of Ragnar. He wasn't sure if he was able to use it on another dragon ever since said war, but.. they'll see.

And yet, he had made not a moment's notice to quicken his pace towards the source of all the noise. He wondered if anyone else could hear it. His previous conversations towards Tomas before he had found out the truth had come with knowledge of their person. They knew spells. They had probably used those spells to get their way with Halvor--he couldn't believe someone would use their magic to betray their own flesh and blood.

And yet, there they were. Betraying everyone. And yet, there was two sides. There was still the puppeteer and the puppet. Ragnar's breathing stilled as he slowed the closer he got to the hedge maze. Everything felt so eerie the moment he stepped into the maze, the music was so loud, and made his head burn with so much rage he wanted to cut that lute in half--tear it to absolute shreds so that he wouldn't have to hear such blasted music ever again.

[luteoflaughs]

Things were getting bad, day after day Tomas knew there were times where his memory stopped then started again. If things kept going like this he knew that his body would become the host of that terrible being that took him so long ago. He had to do something! He couldn't let anyone else suffer because of him. Halvor's death was like a blight upon his soul that would never be cured. It tormented him on a level few could ever understand, he could tell everyone. He wanted to tell everyone, but he feared the being within would use even that information to do something terrible so twisted were its desires.

"There is...only one thing I can do...I will pay for what I did...even if it was influenced by that being...my hands are still stained..."

Tomas gripped onto his necklace, he knew that the price for his sin was great. And no doubt to undo it would come with great cost to himself. But, Tomas would do it because he was still himself. He wasn't going to run anymore from what was done to him.

(I will face you, I won't run anymore. You will not use me as your toy any longer. I swear this upon my soul that I will put an end to this or die trying. But, knowing you death isn't what you want for me.)

So with that final thought in mind, the bard went back. Back to the place where this all started, back to spot where all this horror began so long ago. The hedgemaze where he was ripped away from the realms. He had never come back here since...not once...

WIth chalk Tomas began to draw magic symbols upon the ground. Creating a circle around himself, he slowly made gestures while speaking out words with the tongue of the fae at its source. He was casting a rather complicated spell. Once the foundation was ready the bard lifted up his lute before then playing a song.

Music

Music has always been the source of a bard's power. Some even said music was the very first magic. Though, if that was true or not Tomas didn't know for sure. Eitherway in this moment this song showed the sadness that lay within Tomas. He would need to play this song for a while to create the effect he wanted. Thankfully most were away from this place right now, but anyone who know his playing would know it was him playing. No one else played music.

@nihoneshi

[luteoflaughs]

Nestor and the others are going to find out what you caused in the Peace Keepers realm one day or another, Tomas. They're onto you.

"Good, let them come...I'll soon make them all mine..."

There's a sinister glow within Tomas's eyes for a small moment. Tomas then felt himself shaking profusely. He gripped onto his necklace as well as ringing the bells of his anklet to calm himself down. He was still himself! He was damn it! He couldn't...

(Get out of me! Get out! I'm not a terrible person! I'm not!)

Tomas felt himself being lost more and more. He was struggling to hold himself together if things kept up like this he would need to carry out his plan sooner than he thought. He couldn't let anyone else become a victim. He would put an end to himself before that happened in the only way he knew that his terrible presance could.