Akihiko

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This dragon has set out on a journey through Sornieth during Brightshine Jubilee '19 from Sunday, June 23 'til June 30. It is one of many that wants to visit lairs and clans, hoping to receive lore before being sent back to their home after the adventure is complete. Even years later they will be able to look back at this time by going through the poetry, prose and art they received, as well as all the encounters, adventure, new friends and enemies they encountered. Please, keep in mind... not to purposely edit or delete lore made by other users not to breed or exalt this dragon while traveling to send this dragon off to the next designation after 1 day to return this dragon to its owner @SkyDancer10 as agreed to the rules of the event. This is the a list of destination lairs for Akihiko to keep track of his journey. Thurs: Snek Fri: shanncrafter Sat: Scatterspark Home! Let's get started, shall we?xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTemplate made by Juri01

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The ex-dragon watching over the boundaries of the Split Heartwood clan's territory was a sharp and no-nonsense creature. Akihiko had barely raised a paw over the thin line marked on the dry and cracked ground with a series of roughly squared off stones when the charred, birdlike creature came flying down from its post. The smell of burnt wood and feathers burned the imperial's nostrils; he wrinkled his nose in disgust and sat back, eyeing the strange beast in front of him.

"You trespass," it said, tilting its head to one side. Pinpricks of white light shone where eyes should've been, yet its gaze somehow locked with his own. Akihiko could feel it looking at--through?--him.

"Not intentionally. Never intentionally." He had no desire to disrespect the rules of another clan's home. "I am unfamiliar with this area."

"Then why are you here?"

"To travel. To visit whoever lives here, if possible. And, if I should be so lucky, to uncover an item or two of interest to me."

"Hm." It sank down into a crouch, thinking. He got the impression that didn't mean it wouldn't be able to thrash him at a moment's notice if he made any false moves, and so settled in to wait while it processed the information.

Fortunately, it didn't make him wait more than a minute.

"Pass in peace." It stood and flapped twice. Ash and cinders fluttered free of its wings, drifting on the breeze. Akihiko watched them float away, curious. How was this thing even alive? Who was responsible for such a strange construct? "My clan heads to Cairnstone Rest tonight. They will dig to find gems for Sodalime. Do not disturb the tombs. Do not harm our clan. Do either and the burial grounds will be yours as well. Act justly and you will be rewarded."

It flew away, then, leaving Akihiko to wonder whether he really wanted to risk dealing with such a strange bunch. Gems were gems, however, and what dragon did not like them? So onward he plodded, hoping to find the digging party before they set off for the day...


// Snek, BSJ 2019 //

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Akihiko's stop at the Scarred Wasteland is as brief as he can possibly keep it. For a dragon who looks an awful lot like he hails from that region, he wants little to do with that place. But it's good to see the sights, and he knows he might not get an opportunity like this again. So, he (reluctantly) leaves the small room in the inn he's rented for the night and sets out to explore the streets. The market nearby is where he decides wander around aimlessly, looking at the goods that the merchants have to offer and occasionally pausing when he finds something interesting. The strange thing about most bazaars and markets is that they usually are the same wherever one goes. The same haggling traders, the same busy crowds, the same general chaos. Only the food and the occasional trinket differs. Dragons who travel to the Plaguebringer's domain are usually either foolish or in love with the thrill of the fight-- it's rumoured that the Wasteland's got more fighting rings and tournaments than the Sea has currents. Akihiko is neither of those things. So, he wanders. His mind is occupied with memories of the food in his home clan, the soft pillows in his bed back home, and a certain skydancer he misses with a longing so sharp his chest aches just thinking of-- All Akihiko sees before something-- someone?-- barrels straight into him and bowls him over is a flash of dark red and white patterned scales. He huffs in shock, the wind knocked straight from his lungs. 'Sorry,' says a voice that doesn't sound very sorry at all, and Akihiko is about to protest when a claw drags him to his feet and he realises that the offender is another imperial a little larger than him, with crimson eyes and a smile that can only be described as devilish and something else Akihiko can't quite put a claw on. He's about to graciously accept the apology anyway when the imperial suddenly links arms with him and very forcefully begins to walk him towards a narrow alley. 'Wh-what are you-- hey!' 'Play along.' The imperial hisses under their breath. 'Someone's looking for me right now, and you're at the right place-- ' they pause and look at the sky, where the sun shines bright and hot above them-- 'at the right time.' They half-drag a rather shocked Akihiko along. 'What?' The moment they're in the alleyway, Akihiko rips his arm from their grip and backs off. There's a maelstrom of questions swirling in his mind, but all he manages to ask is: 'What are you talking about? Who are you?' 'Me?' The imperial replies amusedly. They peer around the corner as they wave the question off. 'No one important. Like I said, right place and right time.' And then, more to themselves than anyone else, 'That's how fate works.' By now Akihiko is very hot, annoyed and a little afraid. He recognises the grin on the imperial's face, and it's one whose owner has seemed to have gotten away with something. He straightens the lapels of his coat and snaps with little feeling, 'Well then, it's been a pleasure.' Just as he starts to march out from the alley, the imperial grabs his arm. 'Wait!' Akihiko whips around, a snarl building at the back of his throat, but stops when the imperial sticks something in his face. A rose. 'For your trouble, for that someone you've been missing,' the imperial says breathlessly. 'And for what you're about to do for me.' They shove it in Akihiko's hands before he can even so much as react, and sprints off into the winding alleyway. Akihiko clutches the rose, a little dumbstruck. After a moment's consideration, he sticks it in the buttonhole of his coat and strides out of the alleyway. A few minutes later, just as he's decided that he's had enough of the Wasteland for one day, a group of furious dragons rush past him, howling bloody murder as they loudly proclaim their search for an dragon very much like the one that confronted Akihiko moments before. One of them actually grabs him and demands to know where the imperial had gone; Akihiko looks at them, shoots a brief glance towards the alleyway, then points wordlessly in the opposite direction. He keeps the rose by his bedside in a glass of water. It'll make a nice gift for a certain someone, and if not, it's a good thing to remember this strange incident by.

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Brightshine Jubilee is just about over, but the dragons here in Scatterspark Outpost won't let it go out without a bang. The marketplace is adorned with banners and strings of lamps, bright even in midday, and music rings out from radios placed here and there. The dragons are jubilant, singing and dancing and chattering and playing in the town center, celebrating the end of the festival with as much energy as they celebrated the beginning.

There's so much to see and so many interesting dragons to talk to, but Akihiko's attention is drawn first to a large banner near the inn:


Akihiko is relieved to have found himself in a normal, safe-looking clan, after the last two places he visited. He makes his way over to the table beneath the banner, and to the dragon waiting there to greet him.


"Welcome, traveler!" calls the dragon, as Akihiko approaches. "Are you enjoying Brightshine Jubilee? Are you here to enjoy it with us?" It's a Mirror, dressed in bright gold and red, grinning at him with sharp and jagged teeth. "Or maybe you're here to tour our museum? I can show you around!"

"Ah, hello. I'd love to see your museum," Akihiko agrees. He's a little caught by surprise by the smaller dragon's enthusiasm, but the good manners instilled in him carry him through the introduction with grace. "And I'd be honored to see your beautiful city as well, of course. My name is Akihiko." He dips his head in a little bow.

"Great to meet you. Thorn, messenger of Scatterspark Outpost," the Mirror introduces himself, pressing a hand to his breast. "Are you an archaeologist? Many have visited us this week."

"No," the crimson Imperial admits, "but I am curious about the history of your region. I'd love to learn more about it, and perhaps take home a few of your treasures for my clan."

"Well! That I can definitely help you with," says Thorn, clapping his hands together. "Come on, I'll show you around."

They make their way through the bustle of the market, over to a large, smooth stone building that Thorn identifies as the library. It looks fairly simple in construction, but the windows are an unexpected marvel: stained glass, depicting scenes of scholarly pursuit and beautiful flowers. There are racks of scrolls and dozens of shelves of books: many newer, but some clearly quite old. Thorn doesn't pause here, though; he takes Akihiko through an open archway, into the museum wing of the building.

The outpost's collection is small, but interesting all the same. There are ancient artifacts, such as pottery, weapons, baskets, and jewelry; and there is quite an array of minerals, as well. Gemstones, both uncut and polished, interesting formations of rock, and even a few fossils. Each item has a little card identifying it and the location it came from. Akihiko finds them quite interesting, and the librarian is happy to tell him more about any piece in the collection.

Thorn hangs around for a bit, checking out the artifacts with Akihiko, but when the librarian invites Akihiko to peruse their historical books, he ducks out. "I'll be back later, if you want me to show you around town," he promises, scampering out the door.

Akihiko doesn't mind, though. It's easier to get in some reading when you're alone, and he spends several hours ensconced in a comfortable pile of cushions, reading all about the history of Sunshower Pass. True to his word, Thorn returns around mid-afternoon with a basket of fried fish. "Traveler!" he calls, ignoring the irritated shushing of the librarian. "Come on, I've brought lunch!"

Though he was enjoying his reading, the Imperial also enjoys getting up and stretching a bit, and is perfectly happy to snack on the crisp battered fish while walking around the outpost. There are so many interesting stalls and merchants, though most of them are already closed: it's the weekend, and the last day of the festival, so most everyone would rather socialize than work. Akihiko would like to get a souvenir, if possible, but perhaps he can purchase one in the morning, before he heads back home.

The rest of the day is a whirlwind of social interaction: the Imperial meets more dragons than he'll ever remember the names of, and dances with at least six more, both males and females. Thorn disappears for a bit, only to return bearing pints of sweet mead. The evening is capped off with a brilliant fireworks display: screaming rockets and bright showers explode over the canyon, lighting it up with bright flashes of color.

It's been such a pleasant day that Akihiko is a little sorry it has to end. But the nests at the Merry Marzal are comfortable, and it's been such a busy day, that Akihiko falls right asleep.

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...about. Akihiko is the adopted son of Elwyn and Shedim, and thus the heir to the throne of Clan Dragoste. If he's not away on peace-keeping meetings with his father, he can almost certainly be found in the armory or training room with his bodyguard, Elodin. Akihiko has a kind heart and good intentions; he strives to do what is right in every circumstance, but he also understands that what is right is not always good, and he is willing to bend the rules to fight for justice. Etiam pulvinar ultricies lorem, a venenatis ipsum varius sodales. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Donec magna turpis, auctor ac elit varius, porta suscipit justo. Fusce mattis, mauris ut semper vulputate, turpis sapien ornare quam, quis fermentum diam orci a nisl. Proin vulputate hendrerit velit ut suscipit. Donec fringilla in ligula accumsan porttitor. Mauris pretium est iaculis massa vulputate fringilla. Proin eu porta tellus. Nunc posuere vitae sapien at egestas. Donec tempus lacinia arcu, sed scelerisque justo pellentesque ac. Duis non metus facilisis, dignissim felis vitae, fermentum arcu. Quisque turpis ante, consectetur et ornare eu, maximus ut elit. Sed felis enim, tristique eget arcu ac, vestibulum consectetur quam. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. ...history. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse euismod lectus nisi. Sed sollicitudin nec nunc quis tincidunt. Maecenas porta quam ligula, et faucibus lorem dictum a. Phasellus in pulvinar dolor. Nulla fermentum sem vitae ipsum malesuada facilisis. Quisque at arcu nec sem imperdiet fringilla id a felis. Pellentesque congue eros at ante aliquet facilisis. Maecenas porta quam ligula, et faucibus lorem dictum a. Phasellus in pulvinar dolor. Nulla fermentum sem vitae ipsum malesuada facilisis. Quisque at arcu nec sem imperdiet fringilla id a felis. Pellentesque congue eros at ante aliquet facilisis.

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