dragon hell

Newcomers in Illumori were scarce. Even scarcer did they come seeking nothing but refuge, as well as a change of pace in life.

No matter how odd, the new arrivals were met with open arms by the leaders; Ortez, Machai, and Tremayne were all thrilled to bits to have an eager new face in the clan. There was enthusiastic chatter, food exchanged, homes given, tours taken, all the standard things that the leaders performed for those who joined them--- but this time, with renewed fervor unlike many in the clan had seen in a long time.

They weren’t merely giving a tour to new friends. Not this time; these ones felt like family, and the three were more than ready and willing to make them feel that, too.

Paracelsus found the little display funny, amusing in the way one feels when watching their child get up to silly things while they played pretend. He’d never been a socialite, himself--- perhaps it was his grim appearance, or maybe his quiet demeanor, he’d never be sure. What he knew well enough was that, though he wasn’t part of many conversations, he was appreciated around here, and that was all that mattered to him. He’d leave the socializing to those more suited for it.

“So, do you always just watch the welcome wagon, or do you leave your perch and join them, my friend?”

The voice, warm yet unfamiliar, nearly jarred Paracelsus into tumbling off the rail of the crumbled staircase he’d sat on. Craning his long neck over would put him face-to-face (or, should he say mask-to-face?) with one of the new arrivals: another imperial, having snuck off from the group, seemingly with the express intention of needling him.

“Join them?” Paracelsus parroted, fixing his posture from where he’d jumped, eyeing the new face from behind his goggles. “Ah... no. Not typically. They’re better at showing new arrivals around. I’m just--- a doctor. I don’t even typically find out there’s new clanmates unless they come to my clinic.”

“A doctor?” The Imperial’s face lit up with interest, a warm smile spreading across his face. His stumbling didn’t even seem to remotely phase the other. “What is your name, then, Mr. Doctor?”

“It’s--- Paracelsus,” He replied, finding himself less eloquent with his words than ever. He was never particularly good with words, but he found himself even less so now.

“Paracelsus! What a lovely name!” Jubiliant, the new Imperial gave a bright grin, his wings giving a small, delighted flap, speaking volumes with his body language. “My name is Sabori, and if you’ve got the time, I would love it if you could show me more of your clan.”

“Oh, are you... sure you wouldn’t rather get shown around by Ortez?” Paracelsus asked, hesitant, perhaps even a bit baffled that he of all people was being asked this. “He’s much more descriptive with his tours.”

“No, no, I’m certain,” Sabori assured him, giving him a nudge to the wing with his own and an eager smile. “How would I get to know you if I went with him?”

That alone was enough to pull at some old, lonely heartstrings, a fluttering feeling in his chest rising up. It was something he hadn’t felt in a long time--- nervousness? Embarrassment? Flustering? He couldn’t quite place it, but he’d dwell on it more later.

“I suppose there’s not much else for it, in that case,” Paracelsus agreed, more sheepish than he would have cared to have been, finally rising all the way to his feet and joining Sabori’s side. “Let’s see what there is to see around here, shall we?”

“Absolutely,” With a playful smile and a mischevious collision of his hip to Paracelsus’ own, Sabori descended the marble stairs, leaving the doctor just long enough to gawk at him, before rushing to join his side once again.

Paracelsus hadn’t been so struck by anyone in a long time, he didn’t know what to make of it. Was he afraid? If he were entirely honest with himself, yes, a little bit. Such feelings right after an initial meeting and some suave words given his way never spelled anything good for him, but catching himself falling didn’t even vaguely stop it from happening.

After a long day of pleasant conversation, undeniable flirting from Sabori’s end, and Paracelsus barely knowing what to do with himself, it was finally time for him to return to his home. As he dimmed his lamps and pulled his blinds shut, he finally wound down, moving to his sturdy writing desk. Such a day warranted a quill meeting the paper of his journal, every word on the page longer thought-out than the last.

“ What a precarious situation I’ve found myself in. 

New clanmates joined us today. I gave one --- an Imperial by the name of Sabori --- a tour, at his request. He was one of those more eccentric types, to say the very least, but I suppose I cannot deny some eccentricism of my own, can I?

I find myself barely able to put him into words, even with how taken I’ve been with him all day. He’s elegant. His voice is as warm as the sun. He was good-humored, and stunningly genuine for someone so mischevious. 

And... his appearance alone leaves me breathless. He was beautiful. Space danced on his wings, on his mane, in his eyes.