Daeron Callioux

“Caiyuu-san?” Hanako had yet to meet even a quarter of the experts and oddities that made up this strange organization. She unfolded herself from the little sleeping nook she’d made for herself in what was once a library closet and carefully tied a hakama over her legs and tails. Once her head was similarly hidden under a monk’s cowl, she answered the door. Bread, and a faint dry lizardy smell met her curious nose.“Please, treat me kindly.”

“My purpose, as of last year, is to act righteously in the name of Bahamut, and ensure that justice is given to those deserving of the Platinum Dragon’s ire. With the help of Vita, the dragon that I am soul bonded to. Now, in return, I shall ask you the same thing, what purpose do you seek to fulfill?”

“Ano… What was I saying again?” She reached up and scratched her face with her foot, nervously.

“I do not believe that I am in a position to have children, though I have been blessed with a daughter who I only discovered existed recently. I do not need, nor want, any sort of blessing. I am lucky enough to be here with my loved ones, and I fear that asking any more of the Gods would… bring worse things.” He shifts awkwardly. “These texts that you seek out, are they often religious in nature? Or do they broach any number of topics?”

“How does one lose a daughter?” Hanako’s father was a hot mess, in risk of losing his farm more than once, but he’d never abandoned his twins. She’d meant to ask the question neutrally, but a slight hiss tinged her voice as she thought about what he’d said.

“I would not abandon my family. And I will not do it again. Callista is my child, one who I was not able to raise myself, if you do not think I have regrets you are mistaken. To have met her at all, to have her living under my roof, is something I am glad for.”

“Caiyuu-san?” Hanako had yet to meet even a quarter of the experts and oddities that made up this strange organization. She unfolded herself from the little sleeping nook she’d made for herself in what was once a library closet and carefully tied a hakama over her legs and tails. Once her head was similarly hidden under a monk’s cowl, she answered the door. Bread, and a faint dry lizardy smell met her curious nose.“Please, treat me kindly.”

“My purpose, as of last year, is to act righteously in the name of Bahamut, and ensure that justice is given to those deserving of the Platinum Dragon’s ire. With the help of Vita, the dragon that I am soul bonded to. Now, in return, I shall ask you the same thing, what purpose do you seek to fulfill?”

“Ano… What was I saying again?” She reached up and scratched her face with her foot, nervously.

“I do not believe that I am in a position to have children, though I have been blessed with a daughter who I only discovered existed recently. I do not need, nor want, any sort of blessing. I am lucky enough to be here with my loved ones, and I fear that asking any more of the Gods would... bring worse things.” He shifts awkwardly. “These texts that you seek out, are they often religious in nature? Or do they broach any number of topics?”

“Caiyuu-san?” Hanako had yet to meet even a quarter of the experts and oddities that made up this strange organization. She unfolded herself from the little sleeping nook she’d made for herself in what was once a library closet and carefully tied a hakama over her legs and tails. Once her head was similarly hidden under a monk’s cowl, she answered the door. Bread, and a faint dry lizardy smell met her curious nose.“Please, treat me kindly.”

“My purpose, as of last year, is to act righteously in the name of Bahamut, and ensure that justice is given to those deserving of the Platinum Dragon’s ire. With the help of Vita, the dragon that I am soul bonded to. Now, in return, I shall ask you the same thing, what purpose do you seek to fulfill?”

“Caiyuu-san?” Hanako had yet to meet even a quarter of the experts and oddities that made up this strange organization. She unfolded herself from the little sleeping nook she’d made for herself in what was once a library closet and carefully tied a hakama over her legs and tails. Once her head was similarly hidden under a monk’s cowl, she answered the door. Bread, and a faint dry lizardy smell met her curious nose.“Please, treat me kindly.”

“I know your customes are different to mine, so I apologise if I have somehow over-stepped by arriving unannounced.”

"Thank you. I am afraid that formality is ingrained in my being, so please excuse my continuation of a formal introduction. Again. I am Daeron Callioux, Paladin of Bahamut, the Mourning Flame, and one of the Collective's resident Dragonriders. I am to understand that you are Matsubi Hanako, the resident Monk. I am afraid that I have heard little of you, hence my arrival to introduce myself to you." He nods, unwrapping his scarf from his neck. His neck is no less scarred than his face, a singular deep gouge - now somewhat healed - peaking out of his shirt's neckline.

“Caiyuu-san?” Hanako had yet to meet even a quarter of the experts and oddities that made up this strange organization. She unfolded herself from the little sleeping nook she’d made for herself in what was once a library closet and carefully tied a hakama over her legs and tails. Once her head was similarly hidden under a monk’s cowl, she answered the door. Bread, and a faint dry lizardy smell met her curious nose.“Please, treat me kindly.”

"I know your customes are different to mine, so I apologise if I have somehow over-stepped by arriving unannounced."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTz33jJDo2y/?taken-by=lucuscraft

“What is it that you need one for? I could… provide something more suited to your needs depending on what your needs are.”

“You born with those? Sorry, if that question is a bit invasive…”

“You’ll be safe standing next to me, don’t stray too far.”

“Amazing,” she said, nodding her head.

“I have spent my life among draconic kind, and I still have yet to become used to the sight of them. I find them wondrous, magical even.” He grins. “Seeing Vita in flight provokes an emotion that nothing else can. Though that might be largely because of our soul-bond... Come, I’ll show you some potential candidates for your mount.” He makes his way down the steps, passing a few sluggish dragons sunbathing.

“Another kingdom? They seem awfully friendly to be sending everyone baskets of foods and gifts.” The cat bats playfully at the book, before Callista placed it back in the basket and hands it to Daeron who takes it back inside.

“Ah… hello there!” he awkwardly introduces, bowing to Callista and Daeron. “I’ve taken notice of this land nearby filled… mostly with Humans. And plenty of friendly dragons!” He smiles at this. “I never saw any before considering Llyth has none. I simply figured it’d be polite as king to introduce myself to the neighboring citizens.” He stands upright and sets his wings against his back firmly. “I’m King Siyith Lloyd, husband of Grand King Auriel and defender of Vampirekind. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“But you have been so civil as to gift us these.” Daeron holds the basket up. “And it would be rude of us to refuse your compa- Did you say defender of Vampirekind?” Daeron swallows, a hesitation as he looks to Callista and then back to their guest.

“I used to be a Hunter against the Vampires. Long story, but I realized it was wrong, and left that life in ashes,” he says. “Now I’m the king, and damn proud because I get to fight for a kingdom of people worth saving. And… where we usually come in uninvited. So–sorry… Gotta get un-used to that here, I suppose.”

“You do not intend to drink the blood of innocents, I take it?” Daeron asks bluntly, his hand going to the amulet around his neck.

“Another kingdom? They seem awfully friendly to be sending everyone baskets of foods and gifts.” The cat bats playfully at the book, before Callista placed it back in the basket and hands it to Daeron who takes it back inside.

“Ah… hello there!” he awkwardly introduces, bowing to Callista and Daeron. “I’ve taken notice of this land nearby filled… mostly with Humans. And plenty of friendly dragons!” He smiles at this. “I never saw any before considering Llyth has none. I simply figured it’d be polite as king to introduce myself to the neighboring citizens.” He stands upright and sets his wings against his back firmly. “I’m King Siyith Lloyd, husband of Grand King Auriel and defender of Vampirekind. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“But you have been so civil as to gift us these.” Daeron holds the basket up. “And it would be rude of us to refuse your compa- Did you say defender of Vampirekind?” Daeron swallows, a hesitation as he looks to Callista and then back to their guest.

A Longsword (verging on greatsword) with a very long grip and what I would consider an Oakeshott type XIIa blade, even though this style of blade was mostly out of use by the time this weapons is attributed to, German, ca. 1500, from Hermann Historica.

“What is it that you need one for? I could… provide something more suited to your needs depending on what your needs are.”

“You born with those? Sorry, if that question is a bit invasive…”

“You’ll be safe standing next to me, don’t stray too far.”

“D-don’t! You’ll get hurt!” Sahara chirped and tried to get in front of him in turn.

“Hey! Be careful, we don’t know why these people are attacking you.”

“Protecting others is what I do, no matter who they are.” With a flourish he swings his sword, keeping one foe at bay.

“D-don’t! You’ll get hurt!” Sahara chirped and tried to get in front of him in turn.

“Hey! Be careful, we don’t know why these people are attacking you.”

“What is it that you need one for? I could… provide something more suited to your needs depending on what your needs are.”

“You born with those? Sorry, if that question is a bit invasive...”

“What is it that you need one for? I could… provide something more suited to your needs depending on what your needs are.”

“Dragons are fickle beasts, and don’t take kindly to just anyone riding them. There might be a few who’d like you, but they won’t let you share the same bond as I do with Vita. Drakes on the other hand… I do have a few trained ones who are big enough to have riders. But you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with a drake to get them to trust you, and you to trust them.”

“I can’t say I am friends with many dragons…” she began, rubbing her chin. “But I think a drake should suffice for my purposes.”

“Then follow me, I’ll be happy to introduce you to the ones in my care, if you have the time to do so now?”

@wearedragonrider

“Of course, learning Draconic will help, talking in their language is a good start.”