💎💎💎When you and Sia have time! your choice :3
Larksharius and Rimerock. How can I talk about one without the other? They’re Alrakis, the twin stars.
He orders another glass of that mediocre Andoren wine he loves so much before he gets started. From his eager smile you can tell there's a story.
When I made my pilgrimage to meet the ancient silver dragon Rimerock I was anxious, if you can believe it. I’m not shy, I’m sure you’ve noticed, but my specialty is people. Dragons are very different creatures. I humbly confess I know little about them except when it comes to baby havoc dragons, and I’m out of my depth even with the noble metallic sort who don’t usually roast people on sight. I left Aivu behind because—well, Hal is still trying to teach her dragon manners. And Jharsy’s just too young and controversial to act as an ambassador, so I went by myself.
When I approached him I wasn’t sure if Rimerock would try to kill me, but after I explained why I was there he agreed to talk, and he even invited me into his home. He was dignified, reserved, but cordial. He seemed not to know what to make of me at first either.
And then into the study where he received me suddenly appeared the archlich. Larksharius. Nothing like you’d expect—soft-spoken, graceful and welcoming, bringing us hot tea.
Once Lark joined us, Rimerock thawed toward me. Haha, I only figured it out later. Ri is just shy!
They’ve both lived through so much. Hearing them talk is like learning the vast history of an empire. It’s not what I was there to ask Rimerock but I learned a great deal from both of them about immortality… and its dangers. Especially loneliness.
Rimerock has had to fight his way to peace, against outside forces and against himself. It’s never-ending, and yet he perseveres. I think because he shoulders a lot of blame and self-doubt and feels he owes it to the world to keep fighting. He holds himself to an impossible standard. He’s so much better than he thinks.
And Lark—in undeath they’ve often drifted toward the River of Souls and tested its waters for the respite they offer, but they’ve also hung on even when it felt like there was nothing to hang on for. Such a gentle soul to have been hurt so much. Ultimately, they were right not to let go, because they found Ri.
The two of them are ancient and wise, but to my surprise and delight there’s something youthful about how they look at the world—fresh and full of wonder.
That comes from their love. Since they found each other it’s spring again.
I have the deepest respect for them, but now that I know them better, affection too. Ah, they’re so in love! You can’t help filling up with it when you’re around them. You go away feeling refreshed and full of hope. Ri wasn’t able to help me with all my questions, but I found something I hadn’t even known I needed. And I have a couple new friends. And possibly babysitters for Aivu when Hal can’t take any more.
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Taintless
A/N: here I am with another piece about mooties' ocs. And this time is a silver dragon and their spouse-to-be archlich mentor, both creations of @arrow90-art
As I said on the last post, the prompt of the week on the pals server was Rebel x Royalty, and I think it's very rebellious fight against the voices inside your head.
(Cursed or depressed? Probably both)
Anyway, thanks again for trusting your children to me, Arrow. Now I want that Ekaterina and Rimerock to be friends.
TW: self harming
He could feel it coming, lurking, lingering, and its cacophonic whispers breathing nonsense inside his head. Rimerock was almost asleep when he was caught, that time. He woke up abruptly, feeling his heart pounding against its bone cage.
Not again.
He needed to do something, anything, but what? Outside the cave, the night was starless and a crispy wind was slashing against any living creatures. He sighed, frustrated; the dragon was craving so long for a dreamless slumber, but that uneasiness would never leave him alone. He should have accepted that fact already, but refused to surrender as usual. He wasn’t taught that.
Rimerock pulled the sleeves and glanced at his arms in the dim light. Indeed, the taint was spreading more. Like a plague, a dark wave seizing everything in its way. And he had no idea how much time he still had. Every new dawn was a blessing with its rosy hues and thin clouds. How he missed opening his wings among them and feeling the gentle embrace of the wind since that began. But he was so…
Filth. Broken. Useless. Stupid lizard, why don't you give up already?
Rimerock shook his head and left the cave, holding his cape tight. He wouldn’t give ears to the curse.
He went down to the nearest clearing. The local creatures hissed and ran, leaving him alone. He could say that he didn’t mind, after all his presence became repulsive a long time ago, right after he was tainted. But he would be lying if saying that he didn’t feel lonely. Almost nobody wanted to talk to him or be close to him. It was tiring.
Wherever you stray, a trail of death and suffering is left behind. Your resistance is pointless, embrace who you really are…
The dragon sat and leaned his head on his hands. He needed to concentrate. The cold was a way to keep him in the present time and turn him deaf to the provocations.
If you were stronger, they would be still alive…
Shut up.
If you were not that pathetic…
Shut. Up.
They would be ashamed of—
“ENOUGH!”
His roaring echoed from the cleaning, and made birds fly away, scared. Rimerock felt his claws sinking in the ground. He snarled with gritted teeth, trying to recompose; that always happened when he was already on the madness' cusp. But instead of retract them, he sunk his claws even deeper, attempting to change the course of the mental torrent with pain and his own blood.
How many more nights he would have no peace?
Rimerock was so drunk in his misery that couldn't distinguish who was approaching him right there. He shouted, "Whoever is there, back off!"
I don't want to hurt anyone again…
The stranger ignored, and the dragon heard a familiar voice, "Well, well, you called and I came, old friend. I couldn't ignore you".
Rimerock lifted his head, surprised. Seeing Larksharius' face was like seeing the sun after a long time in the darkness. He stuttered, “Lark...”
The archlich nodded. They got closer and crouched next to the dragon . “Don't worry, I'm not here to judge you.”
Fool… They want to use you...
Rimerock grimaced, annoyed by the voices being half right.
“Oh, of course not." The dragon narrowed his eyes. "But probably you came with other suggestions…”
It was difficult to find out Larksharius' true intentions since he was often expressionless. But due their long bond through eons, and also for Rimerock's draconic senses, he could notice worrying in the archlich's words, “You are dying slowly. And worse; it's not a simple death. Firstly you will lose who you are, then your body. But there is a way—”
“I can't!”
Rimerock felt the urge to bare his fangs, but even with them so close to each other, it didn't seem to scare Larksharius. The dragon cringed, ashamed. “I'm sorry, Lark, but I can't accept it.”
He unburied one of his hands of the dirt and took a good look. It was covered with dry blood and earth.
"I'm dying, that's true. But at least I'm still on my feet. The voices can only be there while I am as well."
To his surprise, he heard Larksharius chuckling. He stared at the wizard, who stood up and stated, “Sometimes, endurance is either a rebel and a noble act. And you do both very well, Ri.”
Rimerock shrugged. What a polite way to call him stubborn.
Larksharius reached out their hand. "But as I said, I heard you calling through dimensions and came to help the best I can. What do you need?"
Rimerock mused, looking at the hand before him. Overwhelmed by the taint, the creature gave in, taking it.
"Let's get out of the cold."
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