[ CLOSED ] Twisting, constricted

[blackscales]

WHO: Wrathion & Visitors
WHEN: April: Beastmaster's Arrival & Aftermath
WHERE: Ke-Waihu & then... the forests around Ke-Waihu. Cosy caves.
WHAT: Wrathion clocks the Beastmaster arriving and immediately Nopes Out. Plot here!
WARNINGS: Awkward cuddling huddled by a blanket ft UST in a cave.




As soon as the Beastmaster draws near to Ke-Waihu, Wrathion slinks from the village and takes flight through the forest. He can be seen, occasionally, flying over the tree-tops in the area being pursued by the Beastmaster's creatures. Those who know him well, or those good at following tracks, can find him hiding out in a cave avoiding them while he waits out the Beastmaster's powers fading.

Comments

CAVE: DRAGON FORM

[blackscales]

The Beastmaster's little minions are fast and sharp clawed, but they do at least not want to kill him. They'd much rather bring him down, make him submit -- no doubt so he can be used. So long as not too many of them catch him, so long as he can outpace them he's largely safe.

If he could burn them, he would, but doing that while flying is difficult -- he needs to find somewhere he can safely use fire.

A cave of some sort, something away from the trees so he doesn't set the whole place alight.

By the time he finds one he's built up a considerable following, so the first thing prospective visitors will see is the scorched remnants of several of them lining the entrance to the cave. Wrathion himself is huddled in the shadows toward the back of it, a little battered and still breathing hard. He twitches every so often, shakes his head as if trying to dislodge something.

When he senses someone approaching, his eyes open and flood red light into the cavern.

Compared to others of his race, he isn't the largest dragon on Azeroth by any means. Yet compared to an average human, Wrathion is still big. He's twice as tall as they are, perhaps a little over, and his wingspan is significant -- claws thick and strong and sharp teeth made for ripping flesh.

He lets out a low, grumbling sound of warning that trails off upon recognising the visiting figure.

brings this fool over

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian froze at that sound, the rumble that could have been a growl, but wasn't. His heart skips a beat, and fear almost rushes to fill the hollows of his lungs, until he steps forward, until he sees the entirety of Wrathion's unfamiliar, bestial form.

"Thank everything," he says in a sudden, sharp sigh, hand pressing to his collarbone, "You're not a dog." Or a wolf, or a fox, or anything that looks like one, because the fear that had started, the fear Wrathion might scent, dies off as quickly as it came, only lingering as the ghost of its own memory. On its heels, Wei Wuxian continues forward, holding up a cloth satchel with supplies that are... suddenly seeming much out of proportion to what he's met with.

"I had no idea I could have gone regular hunting before this, but again, are you even sure you want to eat anything out of these woods wright now? I wouldn't, it's made for an unremarkable diet, but there's enough trouble with everyone gallivanting around chasing each other or being chased, and the huntress being..." He shrugs, declining to ascribe one sentiment or motivation to her, just as he refuses to do so with any of the undead lords they know. Anurr included.

"Anyway, water? There were wolves in that village. The dogs here aren't bad enough, all the foxes aren't enough, they had night wolves. Who were villagers in the day!"

[blackscales]

Night wolves who were villagers in the day? ... Worgens, perhaps?

Wei Wuxian is babbling.

Wrathion tries to push himself more upright, struggling to his feet and stretching his wings in the limited space he has. They brush against the cave walls.

"I am not a dog," he rumbles, a strange resonant quality encompassing his voice in this form. He moves closer and lowers his head to Wei Wuxian, which is as large as the man himself. "You did not have to come."

Wei Wuxian owes him no debt. He is aware it is dangerous.

[weifinder]

"Let's say I sympathise with having to hide away in caves." Ignoring that the Huntress spends half her time in the same situation, because he has no sympathy for her, frankly, until there's demonstrable proof to feel otherwise.

As it is, he holds out a hand, quirking his brow. Can he touch you, Wrathion. He wants to touch the giant creature that you are, because even if animals don't find him their favourite, he usually doesn't much resist a casual display of affection with them anyway. If they're not dogs.

"Learned most everything I knew about working with resentful energies from my time in one."

[blackscales]

Ah --

Wrathion recognises the gesture, and quite honestly it isn't usually one he'd indulge. He isn't a horse, or a pet dog. He isn't a creature to be pet. He's a sentient person.

Wei Wuxian has, however, brought him supplies and appears to be in quite the state. He can... tolerate this, if it will help calm the man. After a few seconds of hesitation he lowers his head down, and draws on his limited patience.

"You are unsettled," he observes, hoping perhaps the man might share... why. Is there something specific that has happened? Hopefully not a long train of creatures that was following him, shortly to invade this cave now?

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian had borne up under the pets people seemed insistent on giving him for his time trapped in a fox's body, though here, he simply presses his hand against the presented nose, or above it. Danaeyrs had her small flying dragon, but Wrathion is a different scale, and a different assortment of parts.

He's also real, and warm, and reassuringly not furred. People having more than one form feels hysterically apt these days, but it was also acceptable, and easier to swallow.

"I'm not fond of being chased around by wolves, or wolf-men, or harassed by foxes. Call it a character quirk," he says, as if it's a jest, his hand falling away from where it had pressed against Wrathion's face. (Don't ask. In human form, it'd simply be a hand to the top of Wrathion's head.) "This is not a region friendly to many of us for many reasons, mm? Here. The water container's full from the well of the town that's supposed to help with the callings."

Such a small amount for Wrathion's present size, but he shrugs out of carrying what he's hauled along with him. There's a level of scaling here, where his own husband he had qi locked and hidden sword away so he could prowl, being too certain of himself to drink of waters or wear stone or wood from a shrine that Wei Wuxian might not even make it to himself. At Wrathion's size, there's no lack of collateral damage which could occur.

That's a feeling Wei Wuxian understands, albeit for vastly different reasons.

"There's also pickled cabbage, it's been spiced."

[blackscales]

Hm.

Pickled cabbage is not his usual sort of fare, but anything decently spiced has his interest. As does the water.

He's in rather the wrong shape for this, however. No fingers, and overly large head full of sharp teeth that cannot handle things delicately.

"One moment," he suggests, shifting uncomfortably to slump a little more. "I have expended a great deal of energy, and this shape is... inconvenient."

He doesn't expect Wei Wuxian to hand feed him, but he might just need a minute before his reserves build back up.

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian inclines his head toward his young companion, though he's visibly curious.

"Take your time," he says. "I can add a few different wards and talismans to help somewhat, if you'd like, but nothing much helps energy return but taking time." Or having the right kind of energies taken in, but here that's less something he'd trust even if he were a cultivator with a core.

As it is, his energies could be bolstered by death-linked energies, if he were so inclined to fill himself like some particularly overreaching, arrogant fool. Today does not appear to be that day.

"Your two shapes, do you have any others?"

[blackscales]

"I have one natural shape," Wrathion corrects, "anything else is a visage."

Wrathion tilts his head a little, equally curious about Wei Wuxian.

"You do not seem afraid of me, nor surprised."

He hadn't warned him, after all, what he was. He only learned this upon seeing him. Were dragons common where he is from? Friendly? Did he sense something about him? Or was he simply so exhausted and busy running from other things he had not the energy to worry about anything else?

[reparo]

She has been thinking about this for the past few weeks, and not for the reasons he may think. (Still no closer to dueling Anduin to the death for his hand in marriage, sorry to say.) While her experience with the dragons in her world has been limited to a few close encounters, and there are fewer dragons in this world than back home, the truth of the matter is that their presence here is made all the more difficult, and dangerous, with the Beastmaster here.

So she knows, of course, that Wrathion has exited the village as soon as his arrival was announced, and probably for the best too.

But she has been thinking about him in terms of warding him from the Beastmaster. Blame Slick's questions for that part. In truth, without all her books here, she has no way to create runes and wards for him to not be swayed by the Beastmaster (also: ugh, awful name) and doesn't know how likely they'd be to work anyway.

Her more lasting spells - outside of the bag, and potions she makes - seem to be temporary, some fizzling out because of this magic being different and some because she hasn't brewed them with the ingredients they were meant to be brewed, but. Regardless - she's been trying.

Has even gone to a temple in the forest, and collected a few stones - replaced them with some stones from the forest floor - because they're meant to be good for protection against the Beastmaster.

When she does make her way into the cave that Wrathion described it's close to sunset, and the growl is louder than anything she's heard him let out before; she thinks maybe it has to do with the acoustics of the cave.

Until there is, right there in front of her, a dragon.

"...Wrathion?"

[blackscales]

Ah, she came. He knew she planned to, and yet the timing of this is not... ideal.

Wrathion moves to push up more onto his feet, shaking himself a little as if trying to dislodge something bothering him.

"Hermione," he manages. He takes a swaying step forward, a little unsteady. "You are unharmed?"

She did come through the forest, after all, which he is aware the Beastmaster's creatures hunt in. It isn't entirely safe. He would hate for her to be hurt coming to bring him things, to help him.

[reparo]

"I..." He might not be large by Azeroth standards, but any dragon is a huge dragon to Hermione's standards. Except maybe for Norbert - but he'd been a hatchling!

"I apparated nearby," she finally answers, and then adds, "and my leaflets worked, look!" She proudly thrusts her chin up, to show him how clear her skin is now, of those cuts that she'd displayed the last time they were in a room together.

Speaking of that. She gestures at him, marvelled. "You're...a real dragon."

[blackscales]

"I am."

He carefully lays himself down near to her, a slow sort of crumple to the ground -- chest still rising and falling too quickly for him to be relaxed. His wings tuck in to his body as much as he can, as if trying to minimise his presence and be less... oppressive. Less overwhelming for her, if he can manage it.

"You doubted?"

Did she think he was... lying? Why would he lie about something like that?

[reparo]

She stands there, still, towards the edge of the cave, and just watches him adjust and lower himself down to a position. The careful movements shouldn't remind her of Crookshanks when he was trying to loaf on uncomfortable surfaces, and yet...

Maybe that spurs on even more amazement.

At the question - incredible! He can communicate like this! - she snaps back to the present. "No, no, I mean - would've been rude of me to doubt. It's just, it's one thing to know you in your human form and a whole other to have..." A gesure towards his entire big dragon body. "Confirmation?"

He's a dragon. A real, talking, magic-wielding dragon. God, the Ministry of Magic would have a fit if they knew dragons could do this.

She shakes her head and opens the bottomless bag to find the stones. "Brought you something. There's been word around that stones and sticks from a specific temple in the woods have the power to provide some protection from the Beastmaster. I thought - well, they couldn't hurt, right? Wouldn't want you to fall to that git's sway, not a single bit."

[blackscales]

Ah! He sits up a little more at that, head tilting curiously and eyes following her hands as she digs in her bag.

"I had heard that rumour. You found some? I would be curious to see what properties they have."

Perhaps he can learn something about them, about how they work? Replicate it, even? That would be preferable to constantly stealing from a shrine in a village filled with curses

[reparo]

The reflexes, too! Why is she finding them familiar? (Like a cat.) Maybe she's projecting - regardless, she can't quite take her eyes off him.

"I didn't exactly find them, I didn't just stumble upon them, I went looking." She did find them, though, yes. "As much as I'd like to find out the essence of what makes them tick, right now I need them to work more than I need to know how to make more myself. Because I don't think I would be able to."

She points a finger at him, holding the two stones with one hand. "No messing up my wards out of scientific curiosity."

[blackscales]

Ah.

Well, she does have a good point. He leans back a little, eyeing her but attention split down to the stones as well.

"The signature on them feels residual," he comments. Is he allowed to comment on that? Is commentary helpful? He isn't doing anything! Just commenting!

[chosenbylight]

"Wrathion?"

Anduin warily picks his way through the scorched bodies of the Beastmaster's minions, his heart in his throat. This is the location that Wrathion had given him, in his message. He had said he was safe. His message had also been brief, and he had not mentioned these creatures would be here either. When had they come? Is he still here?

Is he okay?

He can hear -- something moving here with him. The hair on the back of Anduin's neck rises on end and he pauses mid-step... Just as a pair of red eyes open to blink at him through the darkness.

Large red eyes.

Anduin blinks back.

[blackscales]

"Anduin..."

Wrathion shuffles himself more up onto his clawed feet, although they falter in the first attempt to hold his weight. His scales are thick and strong, but there are still signs of where he's been harried by minions on the way over -- damage to his wings, mostly, and some missing scales.

"You are safe?"

Wrathion's primary concern. Was Anduin hurt on the way here? Is he being pursued? Does he need anything? He's low on energy, but he will do his best of course.

[chosenbylight]

"Yes, I -- made certain I was not followed," Anduin answers, distractedly. He really should ask something about the dead creatures outside of the cave, and yet he can't help thinking, well.

Anduin has always been aware that Wrathion is a dragon. He's made no secret of it to Anduin himself. Anduin has even seen him in his dragon form a number of times, it really should not be that much of a surprise. But that had been years ago and he supposes knowing how much he himself has changed in the span of those years, it stands to reason...

"You... Are quite a bit larger in this form than I remember seeing last."

[blackscales]

Ah, well.

Yes.

"I have grown," he allows, "as you have."

He takes another unsteady step forward, lowers himself to lay down in front of Anduin.

"I will not harm you."

A reassurance, in case Anduin needs it. He is aware he is large, his teeth sharp, his claws strong -- yet Anduin Wrynn should have no need to fear him.

[chosenbylight]

No, he doesn't imagine that he will. In this form or any other. Although the reassurance does help Anduin come back to himself.

Wrathion's teeth may be large and sharp, his claws the size of Anduin's forearm, but. Anduin will only ever have eyes for Wrathion himself. For his safety. He takes a step forward, reaching out a tentative hand toward the dragon's large snout, a frown tugging itself at the corners of his mouth.

"What happened?" he asks, indicating a patch of missing scales, though not quite touching.

[blackscales]

He pushes his face into the touch gently, as gently as he can manage at any rate -- being this large the slightest motion is... exaggerated compared to Anduin's strength.

"I was chased," Wrathion admits, "by the creatures outside these cave."

The ones Anduin stepped over to get inside. Quite obviously, given their state, he won the encounter in the ender.

[chosenbylight]

The dragon's scales are warm underneath his touch. He supposes this should not be much of a surprise either, all things considered, but -- with the cool air of the cave, and Wrathion's dark coloring...

Anduin rubs his hand over Wrathion's nose and up the line of his brow, uncertain where to turn his attention first. He has a number of questions, a number of concerns, but the sight of him -- it takes his breath away.

This, this is Wrathion's true form. Anduin understands that he may not be fully grown, but that does not lessen the impact. He is already much larger than even Reverence, and to understand that he still has quite a lot of growing left to do...

The thought of him in such danger, though. It brings Anduin back to the present and the ball of anxiety formed in the pit of his stomach.

"You are injured," he says, frowning softly. Anduin has seen the corpses of the creatures outside. How fierce a battle had it been? How close...

[blackscales]

"Their goal was to slow me down, not kill me."

A reassurance in some ways, yet not in others. None of his injuries are life-threatening, but that is because Wrathion is more valuable alive and captured than he is dead. He nudges Anduin a little, turns to move further back into the cave.

"It is safer away from the entrance."

Where passing creatures on patrol may be less likely to see them.