--Crystal--

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise and Belle are not quite of the First Brood but they are two of the older dragons on Eorzea (they've long since abandoned their original draconic names, because they like these better). They're just a few eons younger than Vrtra, and thus are closest to their cousin. Helped, of course, by the fact that like Vrtra the two of them spend a lot of time in a humanoid avatar. They'd heard about Vrtra doing it, thought it sounded fun, and after a few mortal centuries of trying on avatars and figuring out things like "gender", they eventually settled on their avatars of choice. Belle spends most of her time in the guise of a cute Au Ra lady and Wise as a slightly customized Viera man.

(Scales. He needed scales somewhere, it felt weird being entirely flesh. His hips and thighs have a lovely pattern of scales that are easy to hide.)

They've settled in, of all places, the Dravanian forelands for a time. They heard that there was someone interesting, someone interesting enough to urge Midgardsormr to wake up for a moment. They're settled in Tailfeather, their draconic bodies tucked safely away in Anyx Trine for now. Belle's taken to being a chocobo tender while Wise has set up as a alchemist and scribe for people who want to write letters but can't.

Hopefully this interesting person will show up.]

Comments

[eyesofaproxy]

Are they a couple or....?

[fuegor]

No, just two Ishgardian with wildly conflicting ideologies. But it really is an easy assumption, isn't it? With how much they're at each other's throats like they're on their 19th married summer.

They're more similar than they think, but they'd deny it until the day they both die.

[A shrug. They'd probably be cute together, come to think of it. But Ysayle was still in the process of earning Lighter's trust.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Oh, I knew a couple like that. Never did find out if Hugo and Lycaon were actually ever married.

[He's pretty sure they're not, but he also still isn't sure what either of them are, so he won't be asking.]

And the young lord?

[fuegor]

He's a friend. A Sharlayan prodigy who got caught up in a messy situation that caused the two of us to be cut off from the rest of our faction.

[The Crystal Braves were a complete disaster and... if Lighter had just said something sooner maybe he could have prevented it...]

[eyesofaproxy]

[...oh. Oh Wise knows who this is. Rumors spread, and even if you're out here in the middle of nowhere the moogles can still find you and bless Phaerie for keeping them up to date on the latest happenings in civilization.

How the hell did he find the apparent Warrior of Light at random like this?!

But Wise says nothing or indicates that he knows who the man is. He's smarter than that.]

I see. At least he has you.

[fuegor]

[Some good that's done the lad so far. But well, it was best to not be alone regardless of how much of this was preventable.]

Yeah. When all else fails, he won't be alone.

[eyesofaproxy]

[...

Wise offers a hand.]

Wise. My sister is the Au Ra you'll see around, Belle.

[fuegor]

[The hand is taken with a firm shake and a small smile. It's the most he could muster but it was something.]

Nice to meet you, Wise. I'll be on the lookout for your sister too. You can call me Lighter.

[eyesofaproxy]

Nice to meet you, Lighter.

[A few days later, the Warrior of Light and his party are back in Anyx Trine. Most of the dragons are just doing their own thing and napping, but one of the smaller ones seems to be looking for something.

("Smaller", as if Wise isn't still pretty big compared to most of the other dragons around here. He's just older, that's all.]

[fuegor]

[!

A medium sized dragon looking around for something? That sounds like a side quest to Lighter. What is a man to do but click where the exclamation points are even within the place many Dravanians call home.]

Hey, you look like you need some help.

[eyesofaproxy]

Hm?

[Wise turns around and--oh. It's Lighter.

Well if he's asking.]

Aye. I have misplaced something of great value, or, more like, the young ones hath made a game of hiding it. Dost thou knowest of "alembics"?

[fuegor]

[It's Lighter! And he has no idea this is Wise. But that's okay, gods know he wasn't going to act any different with a dragon than he would with a Viera or whomever else.]

I've heard of those before, it's an alchemist's tool right? I don't know what you'd need one of those for in a place like this, but maybe I can help you track it down.

[eyesofaproxy]

I would be most grateful. It is made of glass and golden metal that is not gold, inlaid with gems not of this land. It should not be difficult to find...unless mayhaps my sister hid it as is her wont.

[Yeah, no actually, Belle probably did hide it. And she's still in her avatar, damn her.]

[fuegor]

She around here somewhere? Maybe she'll give up the prank when she realizes there's more than you on the hunt for it. Either way, I'll take a look around for it on the next level and leave this one to you, sound good?

[This was a pretty tall place, after all. And sure, Lighter didn't have great eyes and had dark shades on to boot but he'd still give it his all.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Nay, she is elsewhere at the moment. But her things are on the level above, so if she did hide it it would be there. My thanks.

[Okay where the hell else does he need to look...]

[fuegor]

Got it, I'll take a look.

[And so up and up and up the round stairs lighter went to the upper levels. Thank the gods being a fighter long before Hydaelyn's chosen did wonders for his stamina.

As he was checking around the upper level though, he spotted a strange looking creature shuffling around in a corner. Was it tidying up? Actually, what is it for that matter?

With curiously raised ears, Lighter approached the funny little... bunny thing? It was very cute.]

Well, hey there. You look busy over here, don't you?

[eyesofaproxy]

[The little creature startles, dropping its cleaning rag, but perks up when it recognizes Lighter. Wise mentioned him!]

Eh-enah-wata!

[fuegor]

You know, I've never seen something like you before.

[So that was an interesting reaction it had. It almost seemed familiar with him. Which was strange. But well Lighter did tend to forget things a lot.]

Think you can help me look for something? It's an alchemical alembic one of the dragons on the lower level lost. Apparently it's made of glass and some kinda metal that's gold colored and has foreign gems on it. Seen anything like that around?

[eyesofaproxy]

Ennn...na! Nah, nah, nanenhana...

[If Lighter could understand Eous, he would know that it said "Alembic...ah! Yeah, yeah, Belle hid it..."

But he doesn't, so for all Lighter can tell this little bunny creature goes running over to the far corner seemingly at random. But there, behind some fabric, is Wise's alembic.]

[fuegor]

Lead the way.

[Not a lick, but he's gonna talk like he does understand. He does walk a little closer in the corner cause well he implied he'd follow the little guy's lead. And when the alembic is found and he gave it a look over it sure matched that description.]

Looks like you found it. I'll bring it back to its owner right away, and don't worry. I'll give you your credit too. Thanks, little buddy.

[And he'll give Eous a little fist bump! Then go back to the lower level to turn in the quest to the dragon.]

Got it right here. I didn't do it alone though, there was a critter up there that found it hiding within someone else's things. It had real long ears and an orange bandana.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise perks up when Lighter returns with his alembic.]

Ah, Eous. A curious creature, but very dear. My thanks for finding the alembic, child of the land. Set it down, and I shall see it to its proper place...but tell me, wouldst thou be willing to aid me in one final task?

[Time to get vengeance on Belle yep--]

[fuegor]

No problem. What else can I do for you?

[There is task!!! Task!!!!!]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise gets Lighter's help setting up a prank for Belle, eventually rewarding him with some interesting bits of Allagan metal and several pots of dye.

Some time later, the two siblings can be found in Tailfeather once again. Wise is laughing as he sits up in a tree to get away from Belle, who is sulking about his prank.]

That's what you get for hiding my alembic!

[fuegor]

[Sweet! Forest Green Dye!!

Lighter took a fair few hard hits during that bout with Ravana, and while he was healed well by Alphinaud and folks in his Free Company the Sons of Calydon, both he and they needed to have a proper look over from a chirurgeon.

Lighter was headed outside after his all clear when he happened upon Wise climbed up a tree.]

We meet again. [A huffed chuckle at the sulking sibling and the comment towards her.] That's kinda funny. I was helping someone just the other day with getting their alembic back.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Belle looks at Lighter, looks at her brother, and the two seem to share a telepathic moment before Belle just snickers and wanders off to leave her brother alone. Silly landwalker.]

Yeah? Did you manage to find it?