Raitei

adoptable by Kogosama (03/16/2016)

10/19/2014: Acquired from Auction House (unnamed). 10/19/2014: Assigned Livewire Grizzly. 10/19/2014: Named Raitei. 11/28/2014: Equipped with Golem Gauntlet. 07/26/2015: Equipped with Mesa Mechanojets. 10/22/2015: Removed Mesa Mechanojets and equipped with Accent: Brilliant Brainstorm, in honor of the Light/Lightning Science Alliance. 10/22/2015: Assigned Lightning Sprite. 01/09/2016: Equipped with Electricians Power Pack.

What was *that* all about? Raitei asked Blixt. They had been half-walking, half-drowsing in the sunflower fields, lulled by the perpetual illumination of Brightshine, when Butterfly crossed their path. He looked in puzzlement at the writing implements she had pressed into his familiar's forepaws.

Something about fields. Or scrolls. Or both, said the Lightning Sprite grumpily, none too pleased at having been accosted by a complete stranger. He did, however, drink the water she had provided, and looped the water bottle over his shoulder, out of the way.

Was she a stranger, though? She seemed familiar, said Raitei, pacing slowly through the sunflowers blanketing the ground, trying not to step on any of the blooms. Though he was not overly fond of flowers, he dared not be absent from the Sunflower Soiree. Despite his resemblance to the Stormcatcher's children, and the bond he had with his Sprite, he was still a Light dragon.

Who knows? All *I* know is that this gold in my eyes is giving me a headache. Blixt squinted up at his Imperial friend. Can we at least get to the edge of these fields?

Raitei cast a glance backwards at the open area where the rest of Clan Everlight had congregated. We can go back, if you like, he said. There were a couple of storytellers I wanted to listen to -

Gods, no, said Blixt irritably. Not all those old chestnuts again. No, I just need some air that isn't so ... golden.

Raitei laughed soundlessly. Fine, he said, trying to soothe his companion. Brightshine was exactly what it was, and the glitter tended to overwhelm followers of other deities. Let's go over to the side nearest the Shifting Expanse. You'll feel better there. I'll carry you, even, he said magnanimously. But -

But what?

In exchange, tell me a story about the Stormcatcher. Raitei changed direction and swept Blixt up onto his shoulder. Sputtering, the Sprite settled huffily into a comfortable position, having managed not to drop his ink and scroll.

A story, he grumbled. Who can think about stories with all this glitter arou- Wait.

What's that?

Raitei craned his neck in the direction Blixt indicated. Eyes narrowed, he saw a tiny flash of blue, electric in the sea of yellow. They made their way towards it, watching warily as it flickered at them.

Well, the Imperial said thoughtfully. I didn't expect this.

Dragon and Sprite stared down at a blossom wreathed in tiny lightning bolts. Little forks of energy sizzled over its cyan petals, dissipating into the surrounding air.

Thunderbolt, whispered Blixt reverently. Beloved of the Stormcatcher.

Raitei looked wonderingly at the flower, starkly angular against the soft yellow background. He put his paw out to touch it, but stopped at Blixt's warning.

No, friend! The Sprite laid a restraining paw over his own. It will injure you, or worse. This flower calls lightning down upon itself. Blixt peered at it more closely. How did it come to bloom here? It grows only in Carrion Canyon.

Raitei looked up at the sky, reassured to see that it was clear as glass. Perhaps the wind carried a seed this way, he mused. He glanced at his friend, still examining the flower he had called Thunderbolt. Do you suppose this is what that dragon - Butterfly - meant? But it's not a scroll at all.

Blixt looked up at the Imperial, a small smile replacing his usual scowl. Flowers tell stories too, Raitei. The Thunderbolt is said to be the Stormcatcher's lost love, who perished in the Canyon when she wandered too far from his side. He created these flowers in her memory, and made them to withstand the strongest lightning strikes ... the way that she could not.

Raitei blinked at his friend. Is that a joke, or something? The Stormcatcher wouldn't have had a ... a love life! Lightning dragons call him "The Boss." All he does is work!

Blixt looked back at him wisely. Now you know why.

Ignoring Raitei's open-mouthed disbelief, the Sprite unfolded Butterfly's scroll and wrapped it around the Thunderbolt. Gently, he plucked the flower from the earth, roots and all, and eased both it and the scroll into the empty water bottle.

Come on, he said, climbing back up onto Raitei's shoulder, the Thunderbolt safely stowed away. You got your story, I got a break from the glitter. Let's give the lady what she asked for.