Wander

gen 3

paradise starsilk circlet
witch's hat
starry regard
orange wooly coat
orange wooly tail
finely crafted lute
glowing orange clawtips
basic tert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwEKntZIxjw



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwhOh64DXuE

---

Space. It’s an apt name, for the universe is boundless, and despite the objects drifting slowly through it, there’s always room for something else. The Stardrapes, an ancient and ethereal race, were among those celestial objects. They drifted through the heavens, observing and learning about the worlds that stirred their curiosity.

One of them drifted down to Sornieth, lighting up the Tangled Wood with a warm orange glow. The creatures of the forest fled as he alighted. What was this strange beast? Why did it glow like a miniature sun? Was it dangerous? The animals peeked fearfully out of their burrows, watching as a fissure opened up in the glowing face—

“HELLO!” The shout rang out of the Stardrape’s mouth, as bright and warm as he was. Many of the animals flinched away from the sound, but a few brave ones scuttled out. They lived in a part of the Tangled Wood that was frequented by gathering dragons, who had been known to feed the wildlife.

The Stardrape’s sparkling eyes lit upon the creatures. He bent, his nose nearly touching the ground. “Well, hello there, little buddies! Aren’t you the most adorable welcoming crew I’ve ever seen!”

A ferret skittered closer. It arched up and laid its claws upon the jewel on the Stardrape’s brow—

This jewel is called the bindi and is unique to the Stardrapes. It contains their memories, their very essence, and without it, a Stardrape soon wastes away to nothing. Thus many Stardrapes protect this jewel with their lives, and to touch one while it is still embedded is to invite its owner’s wrath....

But the orange Stardrape simply chuckled and nudged the ferret away. “Hey, no touching, that tickles! Y’know, it’s probably not a good idea to keep showin’ this thing off. Maybe I’d better have a look around.”

As he turned, he caught sight of the light of a nearby lair. The Stardrape smiled. He had been watching this planet for some time, and he knew that it was inhabited by sentient beings.

“And oh boy, I can’t wait to meet them!” To the wildlife, he said, “Well, thanks for the chat, li’l guys! Now ’scuse me while I wander over yonder and have a look-see for myself. Time for me to meet dragonkind!”

~ ~ ~
“...And that’s how I got this really cool hat!” The Stardrape concluded his story with another radiant smile. Some time had passed since his first foray into the Tangled Wood, and since then, he had learned more about Sornieth and picked up some tricks and trinkets of his own.

The hat in question was a shabby-looking, swamp-green affair. It flopped comfortably on the Stardrape’s brow, hiding his bindi from view.

His orange glow was also completely eclipsed by the majesty of his audience: It was a very large creature, drifting just below the surface of a lake, and it rippled in a thousand vivid colors. They formed ever-changing patterns on the creature’s skin, stars and splotches and stripes that shivered into zigzags.

The creature privately thought the hat was too dull, but the Stardrape was obviously very proud of it, and so the creature queried, “Did you purchase it from the aliens? They have such clever claws. Pray, continue, friend Wander: You went towards the lair and then...?”

“Oh, I didn’t buy it from them. They taught me. They were really nice, once the pointing and yelling had stopped.”

The creature’s many eyes swiveled around, pupils contracting as they observed the hat more closely. “It is skillfully made.”

“Aww, thanks! The dragons were really good teachers; I learned all sorts of useful things from them. And then they brought out heaps of food and drinks and we sang until the sun came up...”

“One of their festivals, yes? The circus. A wonderful riot of color. So dazzling, so beautiful...” If the creature could smile, it would have—or perhaps it didn’t really need to. Its skin lit up in another radiant display of chromatophores, almost lighting up the trees.

The Stardrape, too, perked up. “It’s almost time for the next festival! I think we’re supposed to start decorating today. I’ll have to check it out!”

The creature, too, had grown tired of talking. But it would be back again, in time. It waved a tentacle and then sank back into the depths.

It had come up from the sea by way of underground tunnels, some of which were far from the clan’s territory. That wasn’t a problem for Wander, however. Back when he had first arrived, someone had suggested calling him “Rush” or “Zoom”, for despite his bulky body, he moved at breakneck speeds.

Zzzzip! He sped like a comet through the trees, so fast and bright that he left a glowing aftertrail. He covered hundreds of yards in mere seconds, and as he passed, various animals or dragons turned, blinking in bafflement.

Ahead was the Mix of Misfits’ lair. It was a storied place, filled with magical, mystical, and downright dangerous beings, but Wander smiled hugely when he saw it. It was every bit as interesting as it sounded, and he had made it his home.

~ ~ ~
The kitchens were unoccupied except for a gangly creature looming over some questionable dishes. He walked on two clawed feet, moving with exaggerated movements, as he added more dollops of unidentifiable goo.

He jerked back in surprise, flinging his hands into the air as Wander appeared: the Stardrape moved so fast that he sometimes seemed to just pop out of nowhere. As the creature waggled its gloved hands, Wander greeted him, “Hallo, Noseybonk! You makin’ munchies for the festival?”

The creature closed one fist into a thumbs-up. It was the only way he could say “yes”, for he didn’t speak and his grin was permanently fixed in place.

Wander stared at the dishes. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he took them in: They were nothing more than globby-looking piles with strange lumps and protuberances, but he stared at them as if they were gorgeous works of art.

“These look so cool!” He smiled hugely as he spoke, and there was absolutely no irony in his words. Noseybonk pressed his gloved hands to his cheeks in a bashful gesture.

“Can I try ’em? Just a little piece.” Wander poked out his tongue, but Noseybonk made an emphatic “No!” gesture. As the Stardrape watched glumly, the creature indicated, with some very firm pantomiming, that he was going to take the dishes out and display them somewhere.

“You’re gonna have someone else test them? Like Gorge?”

Noseybonk nodded. Wander lit up again. “That’s a great idea! He’s so good at cooking! And he’s been kinda glum lately; I bet these’ll cheer him right up. Where were you gonna display ’em? The dining hall, maybe?”

Noseybonk shook his head. He put a hand over his brow and mimed looking, peering exaggeratedly over Wander’s head and under a nearby table. The Stardrape bounced up and down. “Ooh, yeah, he can be pretty hard to find sometimes. We’ll have to go search for him. That’s it, then! A quest!”

Another thumbs-up. Wander bounced out the door, and Noseybonk pattered along behind, carrying his dishes. They oozed and burbled suspiciously, but he either didn’t notice or care.

The Mix of Misfits’ lair was a large place. It could be dangerously confusing for those who didn’t know their way around. It wasn’t long before Wander and Noseybonk got disoriented, but as members of the clan, they knew they were in no danger. It was only a matter of time until someone helped them or the right way opened up. Wander continued to bounce down the corridors, chattering and singing snatches of songs. Noseybonk trooped along behind, as sprightly and jaunty as always.

Eventually, Wander stopped, seemingly perplexed. Noseybonk loomed behind him, his long neck drooping until his nose was brushing the Stardrape’s hat. Most dragons would have run away at this, but Wander just tilted his head back and blinked at his taller companion. “Does this place look familiar? I guess we’re kinda lost?”

Noseybonk shrugged. Wander, however, gasped, “Wait, now I remember! This is where the Knight of Despair lives!”

Noseybonk cocked his head. Wander skittered around him, saying, “You remember, the Knight with the beautiful long hair! Or maybe you haven’t met him yet; you’re always in the kitchens. C’mon, let’s go see ’im. He can help us; he’s really nice!”

So saying, Wander darted down a side passageway. Noseybonk followed slowly but surely, taking large, exaggerated steps like a dressage horse.

The Knight of Despair appeared, at first glance, to be an enormous Imperial. He sprawled in his private chamber, his satin dress pooling like water upon the floor. As Wander and Noseybonk approached him, they heard soft, shuddering sounds: the Knight of Despair, who was aptly named, was sobbing quietly.

Wander’s own face took on a look of deepest sympathy. He crept up to the great dragon. “Hey, Knight, it’s good to see you again!”

The Knight turned to look at them. His face would have terrified most intruders, for while the right side was already ghastly-pale, the left side was still worse: a featureless black void bristling with spikes. He had no eyes, but tears poured endlessly from his empty eye sockets, oily drops that glittered like obsidian.

“Oh...you came back.” The voice was a dull mumble. The great head moved ever so slightly, angling towards Noseybonk. “And you are...?”

“This is Noseybonk, ’member? He’s with the clan, too.”

“I haven’t seen him before. I haven’t seen any of you. I thought you had all forgotten me.” The vast body began to shake, and the air around the Knight grew colder and heavier. “I thought you had dared to forget...!”

“Aww, Knight, nobody could ever forget someone as amazing as you! That’s why we’re here!” It wasn’t exactly a lie: They’d originally been searching for the dining hall, and Wander had come here when he’d remembered the Knight was nearby.

The Stardrape indicated Noseybonk. “Dunno if you’ve met, but whether or not ya have, it’s always great to get to know your neighbors better. Ain’t that right, Noseybonk?”

Noseybonk’s hands were full, so he couldn’t give a thumbs-up this time. He nodded emphatically instead.

“There, see, Nosey agrees with me too! Y’know, Knight, we haven’t seen you outside for a while. Why don’t you come out for this month’s festival? It’s a good one: Starfall Celebration.”

“I must protect my clan. Can’t...desert...my post.” The Knight seemed to be struggling with the idea. And no wonder; he hadn’t celebrated any festivals—anything—for years.

That didn’t deter Wander, however: “Then we’ll bring the festival to you!” He had previously been singing unaccompanied, but now he drew his lute from beneath his cloak and strummed a few peppy chords.

The Knight of Despair settled down, grumbling quietly. But he didn’t try to chase his visitors away either. He listened as the Stardrape zipped around the cavern, his radiance throwing warm colors across the walls. Noseybonk remained by the door, swaying and nodding in time to the music. The tray remained securely clutched in his hands.

“Your music is so...frenetic,” the Knight growled eventually. Wander stopped playing but asked, unfazed, “You want me to play somethin’ slower and sleepy-like?”

“Something soothing. Yes. Soothing is always good....”

“Soothing, hey?” And Wander perked up noticeably; one could almost see a lightbulb appearing above his head. “Noseybonk’s got just the thing to soothe ya: He’s testin’ these wonderful dishes for the festival!”

The huge Knight bent low. Cold air blasted from his nostrils as he sniffed the goop. “They are odd.”

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! I promise, Nosey’s food is always fantastic. ‘Don’t judge the’...How d’you say it? ‘Don’t judge the book by its looks’?”

Noseybonk held up a thumb and forefinger an inch apart: Close enough. Wander continued, “Anyway, if you’re nervous, I’ll go ahead. Is it OK, Nosey?”

Noseybonk shrugged in resignation. Wander grinned back, reached out a paw, and took a lick...

“Aaaaaahh! This is abso-cali-utely fantastic!” The Stardrape jumped up and down in excitement, his hat nearly brushing the ceiling. His feat beat out a rapid tattoo on the stone floor as he entreated the Knight, “Go on, c’mon, you’ll love it!”

The Knight didn’t need to eat, but he could take in food. His huge jaws creaked open, and an equally vast tongue emerged, wrapping around the goopy dishes. He gulped them down. His facial expression didn’t change one bit; nevertheless, he mumbled, “It is...all right.”

“There, see, I knew you’d enjoy it! There you go, Noseybonk: Good to go for the festivities! Thanks for your help, Knight. We were lookin’ for Gorge earlier, but we’re really glad we found you instead. You’ve been a big help!”

“I will protect my clan,” the Knight automatically responded, but there seemed to be a spark of interest in his cavernous eye sockets. Wander continued, “I mean, Gorge is cool and all, but he’s really picky sometimes.” The Stardrape winked back at Noseybonk, who had to suppress a gesture of surprise. It was true that Gorge could be very critical about food. Noseybonk hadn’t exactly been looking forward to having the dishes tested, and had been more than just a bit relieved when Wander had declared they’d gotten lost....

Only, had they been lost?

“We won’t forget your help! You can expect to see us again in the future. We’ll bring food for you; Nosey’ll make some more yummy stuff. Or maybe you’d like some stories? Lots of people in this clan know great stories.”

“I will remain at my post,” the Knight promised. He paused, carefully considering his next words, and then grudgingly added, “Your work...has merit.”

“Aww, shucks, it’s not work. It’s fun! I’ll see you next time, Knight!” Wander doffed his hat and then pattered away. Noseybonk followed him a few seconds later.

“Hmm? Did I...?” The Stardrape paused, trying to decipher Noseybonk’s hand movements. It was difficult to translate the words into gestures: Did you - get lost - on purpose?

“Mmh...Dunno what you’re talkin’ about.” And then Wander brightened again. “But it was nice to meet the Knight of Despair, wasn’t it? He’s really sweet once ya get to know ’im.”

Nicer than Gorge, Noseybonk wanted to say, but he had to content himself with a thumbs-up. His grin was genuine this time, though. Now that he’d accomplished his errands for the day, he decided it would be nice to follow Wander around a while longer. Wherever he went, the Stardrape was sure to spread joy—and they didn’t need to wait for the next festival, either.

~ written by Disillusionist (254672)
all edits by other users