[Not much explanation other than that needed. Can be played either at the heart of his power, possessing Estinien, or reborn-as-a-tiny-dragonling-after-his-eyes-were-destroyed AU.]
[It's a bit odd seeing a dragonling in the wilds of Ala Mhigo. Not only is it so far from Dravania, the sightings off it reported by the locals are unusual in and of themselves - earlier reports talked of it appearing as a newborn, and then larger and more aggressive in the coming weeks. By the time word would have spread more widely, it was half the size of a grown man, which was markedly unusual for a species that was supposed to grow over a period of centuries.
Naturally this had attracted attention. The poor thing was just trying to feed itself, but it was a threat for the newly rebuilding nation's livestock. An attack on a herd of karkuls had resulted in the formation of a hunting party the young dragon had barely escaped from, and not without injury to itself.
But escape it had, taking refuge in the caves. After making sure it was alone, it let out a cry of sorrow and settled on the ground, placing its claws on both sides of its head. Without any idea of how, it spoke with words in a tongue it should rightly have not been given an opportunity to learn.]
Why... why do they chase me...? Why was I cursed to awaken alone? I feel so lost, so angry... but I don't know why...
[ Well, that's not entirely subtle. The rumble of thunder and the smattering of rain coming down from the darkening sky isn't entirely surprising, given how the weather was turning.
What probably is surprising is the sound of jangling metal and rapid, heavy footfalls, a concerned whistling chirp as they sounds slow and stop-- a chocobo, their rider hopping off inside the mouth of the cave to allow them to shake the excess water off their feathers (as their rider also does; shaking out their long coat). They progress a little further into the cave and-- pause.
The Xaela, one eye a soft yellow glow and the other white and blind, stares at the dragon with clear surprise but entirely fearless. ]
[As distracted as the young dragon is, and with the rain and thunder as loud as they are, he doesn't detect her presence until it's too late. When she reveals herself, however, he snaps into an aggressive, defensive position, backing further into the cave like a beast cornered.]
Who are you?! Are you with the ones who have been trying to slay me?!
[Through the darkness of the cave, there's a bit of a glint in the dragonling's eye... an almost familiar-looking red aura...]
[ That's... concerning. She stares hard at it for a long moment, lost in memory, before she turns back to her chocobo to start untacking her, soothing her with gentle murmurs as she shifts uneasily at the sight of the dragon. ]
Hush, Lily, there...
No, wyrmling. I'm only a traveler. I saw your hunting party on my way through, though.
I'm not asking you to trust me. But my quarrel with dragons is long over, and I have no fear of pups.
[ She sets her barding aside, motioning for her chocobo to take a seat, while and remove her wet cloak to set it aside and dry while she rests, herself. ]
You haven't learned what is and isn't safe to hunt, I suppose. Why are you here, instead of Dravania?
I know what is safe to hunt! But I am not small! My hunger grows! The fluffy creatures... they give more meat than the ones that slink about, and they are lazy and stupid!
[He pauses. That name... it causes him to growl. It is familiar, but he cannot fathom why.]
Why do humans claim to own beasts?! What gives them the right...?!
[He pauses again, and growls again, before speaking.]
Dragons... are like me?
...
I have only known this place... but sometimes... I dream. Of a land I come from... but then the dreams become one of pain... I feel lost, and lonely, and angry and... there are men... and a shining figure of light... and then I see a man with a spear over me and then... nothing...
Because they have taken them in and care for them, thus giving them the right to take their flesh when it comes time. My Lily-- though I will not eat her, I still care for her, and in return she carries me and my things upon her back.
[ She pets the bird, Lily curling over to lay her head in Utajin's lap. The Xaela is quiet again, for a moment, staring down at the bird. ]
Sometimes the gods are just, wyrmling, and allow lost souls a second chance. I would not dwell too much on what past you may remember and instead look towards a future that will be kinder.
[I could do either or, depending on what you want to do. Him remembering could go in a more comedic or terrible direction, and him not remembering could go for more pathos or friendship. It just depends on which direction you prefer, it could be any of these things or something different!]
[That all sounds fun, oh gosh. Maybe something more comedic! Felih would probably find a great amount of mirth in seeing the great and terrible Nidhogg become a pup again. And perhaps try to get him to chill out a little this time around.]
The Royal Menagerie was truly beautiful- it was a shame that it was so empty now, save for the gardens. He had been too preoccupied battling a primal at the time, but now, in the wake of liberation, Felih returns just to take a better look at the gardens.
They're... surprisingly lovely, and well tended, considering the royal family has long since been gone, and so has anyone else who may have resided in the palace. It was hard to imagine the Garleans cared much for maintaining the flowers, but perhaps some Ala Mhigans still held love for the place and tended it.
But that didn't matter now. The gardens were high, quiet, peaceful, but something... made him uneasy. A lingering aether he can still detect- not Shinryuu, not Zenos, but something else he recognizes.
Nidhogg's eyes- or, at least, traces. It's faint- but if he follows the trail, the aether seems to be stronger.
There is an explosion of red aether before the Miqo'te, rising like a flame as a familiar voice emanates from within, speaking in dragon tongue. A winged shadow appears amidst the twisting flames, their wings unfurled menacingly. With a roar, the blaze disappates, revealing none other than Nidhogg...
... in the form of a dark-colored dragonet.
"Children of men! Cower before me! Your reckoning has come!"
rip nidhogg, dravanian rage and vengeance incarnate
[I'm losing my shit I LOVE HIM and I LOVE THIS. I'm picturing Mushu's introduction to Mulan.]
The initial explosion of aether and flames has Felih spooking considerably, leaping back with his fur bristling, a spell burning in his hands and ready to be flung in self-defense. It all happens in a moment, and then, there is a moment of stillness.
Nidhogg is...
Felih's so incredibly stunned that the only response he can muster is a very confused and nervous laugh, the spell still balanced in a careful sphere of arcane magics in his palm.
"I-Is- is this a prank? A glamour, perhaps- who has this kind of illusion magic...?" he asks, more to himself, looking around as if waiting to find some mischievous friend pulling his leg and pulling the strings.
*sucks up whole tank of helium, screams in high pitched voice* I AM NIDHOGG!
Felih stares another few, short moments, before he murmurs, "Er... Nidhogg..." It feels... incredibly wrong to be speaking so casually to such an ancient entity, especially one filled with power and rage, but...
"You... appear to have manifested in a form much different than you are accustomed to," he finally explains, slowly letting the magic in his palm fade and whirl back into aether he returns to his own body. This... well. He's sure he can at least manage a dragon pup, if something goes wrong.
The Miqo'te folds his arms and tilts his head. "I suppose the polite thing to do would be to welcome you back to the realm of the living, yet I think you may have other thoughts..." He is wary still, not ready to step closer, but he's now considering it.
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valoirs
Nidhogg | Dreadwrym, Of the First Brood, Unending War Enthusiast
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Naturally this had attracted attention. The poor thing was just trying to feed itself, but it was a threat for the newly rebuilding nation's livestock. An attack on a herd of karkuls had resulted in the formation of a hunting party the young dragon had barely escaped from, and not without injury to itself.
But escape it had, taking refuge in the caves. After making sure it was alone, it let out a cry of sorrow and settled on the ground, placing its claws on both sides of its head. Without any idea of how, it spoke with words in a tongue it should rightly have not been given an opportunity to learn.]
Why... why do they chase me...? Why was I cursed to awaken alone? I feel so lost, so angry... but I don't know why...
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What probably is surprising is the sound of jangling metal and rapid, heavy footfalls, a concerned whistling chirp as they sounds slow and stop-- a chocobo, their rider hopping off inside the mouth of the cave to allow them to shake the excess water off their feathers (as their rider also does; shaking out their long coat). They progress a little further into the cave and-- pause.
The Xaela, one eye a soft yellow glow and the other white and blind, stares at the dragon with clear surprise but entirely fearless. ]
Oh. You're the one they warned of, I suppose.
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Who are you?! Are you with the ones who have been trying to slay me?!
[Through the darkness of the cave, there's a bit of a glint in the dragonling's eye... an almost familiar-looking red aura...]
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Hush, Lily, there...
No, wyrmling. I'm only a traveler. I saw your hunting party on my way through, though.
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I don't trust you! Since I was born here, man... man has done nothing but scorn me! Why would you be different?!
[His claws scrape against the floor of the cave.]
I only want to live... I feed myself, and they sling their spears and arrows at me...
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[ She sets her barding aside, motioning for her chocobo to take a seat, while and remove her wet cloak to set it aside and dry while she rests, herself. ]
You haven't learned what is and isn't safe to hunt, I suppose. Why are you here, instead of Dravania?
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[He pauses. That name... it causes him to growl. It is familiar, but he cannot fathom why.]
What is... Dravania...?
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[ She looks at him again. ]
A land belonging to dragons. One at peace, now.
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[He pauses again, and growls again, before speaking.]
Dragons... are like me?
...
I have only known this place... but sometimes... I dream. Of a land I come from... but then the dreams become one of pain... I feel lost, and lonely, and angry and... there are men... and a shining figure of light... and then I see a man with a spear over me and then... nothing...
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[ She pets the bird, Lily curling over to lay her head in Utajin's lap. The Xaela is quiet again, for a moment, staring down at the bird. ]
Sometimes the gods are just, wyrmling, and allow lost souls a second chance. I would not dwell too much on what past you may remember and instead look towards a future that will be kinder.
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They're... surprisingly lovely, and well tended, considering the royal family has long since been gone, and so has anyone else who may have resided in the palace. It was hard to imagine the Garleans cared much for maintaining the flowers, but perhaps some Ala Mhigans still held love for the place and tended it.
But that didn't matter now. The gardens were high, quiet, peaceful, but something... made him uneasy. A lingering aether he can still detect- not Shinryuu, not Zenos, but something else he recognizes.
Nidhogg's eyes- or, at least, traces. It's faint- but if he follows the trail, the aether seems to be stronger.
It couldn't be...?
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There is an explosion of red aether before the Miqo'te, rising like a flame as a familiar voice emanates from within, speaking in dragon tongue. A winged shadow appears amidst the twisting flames, their wings unfurled menacingly. With a roar, the blaze disappates, revealing none other than Nidhogg...
... in the form of a dark-colored dragonet.
"Children of men! Cower before me! Your reckoning has come!"
rip nidhogg, dravanian rage and vengeance incarnate
The initial explosion of aether and flames has Felih spooking considerably, leaping back with his fur bristling, a spell burning in his hands and ready to be flung in self-defense. It all happens in a moment, and then, there is a moment of stillness.
Nidhogg is...
Felih's so incredibly stunned that the only response he can muster is a very confused and nervous laugh, the spell still balanced in a careful sphere of arcane magics in his palm.
"I-Is- is this a prank? A glamour, perhaps- who has this kind of illusion magic...?" he asks, more to himself, looking around as if waiting to find some mischievous friend pulling his leg and pulling the strings.
*sucks up whole tank of helium, screams in high pitched voice* I AM NIDHOGG!
The dragon's boast stops short, as he becomes keenly aware of something.
"... Warrior, since when have children of man become of comparable stature to dragons?!"
BLESS I'm now really tempted to take any of Nidhogg's voice lines and edit them in a sound processor
"You... appear to have manifested in a form much different than you are accustomed to," he finally explains, slowly letting the magic in his palm fade and whirl back into aether he returns to his own body. This... well. He's sure he can at least manage a dragon pup, if something goes wrong.
The Miqo'te folds his arms and tilts his head. "I suppose the polite thing to do would be to welcome you back to the realm of the living, yet I think you may have other thoughts..." He is wary still, not ready to step closer, but he's now considering it.
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