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Who: Estinien & You.
When: End of February.
Where: Around and about.
What: Estinien is testing his powers out, it's not going so swell.

[ This new world was never going to win Estinien's approval before he even discovered what his powers were meant to be. It was a joke, an absolute insult if anyone asked the dragoon his opinion on the whole thing. He'd had enough of dragons back home so to find out he was now inexplicably linked to one as a God just stung all the more.

Still, it would be stupid of him to not at least look into this a little. If the powers were useful then it could mean the difference between victory and defeat. No-one would have to know if it was in a secluded enough place. The last thing Estinien wants is that secret being out in the world (though in all fairness most would probably guess when seeing a dragon stomping around that it's definitely one of the God crew).

What Estinien never takes into consideration is any caveats that come with trying said power. He's unaware that if he doesn't put his everything into it the whole thing goes skewiff. Which is why suddenly there's a small, round, fat whelpling looking as put out as one can sitting around. Occasionally he'll flap his tiny wings, managing just a fraction of lift before settling back down on the ground.

This is the worst and Estinien curses to himself, the profanities translating into nothing but small chirps and squawks. What kind of God power is this even meant to be??? Hopefully it wears off, though until then the dragoon simply hopes no-one comes across him like this. ]

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[Is Estinien's luck ever that good, though?

Leo usually doesn't have much reason to be out this way, but when Lady gets a wild hair and escapes into the Heavens, what else is he going to do but come out this far to try and find his damn cat?

He's quiet as he makes his way through the Heavens, hardly even noticing the dragoon-turned-baby dragon until he sees it out of the corner of his eye.]

-oh. Someone's pet?

[ The original plan had been simple enough; waddle back to his residence and try to shake whatever this was off without being seen. It would have been perfect too if Estinien hadn't spent a hot moment thinking it through and now the worst has happened - he's been spotted by Leo of all people!

Escape isn't an option with such small legs. Sure Estinien could try it but it sure wouldn't be dignified. Staying still and wishing he'd blend in with the scenery is also not an option. The only thing left is to be as imposing as possible and Estinien can't help but briefly lament his luck. If the others could see him now as he puffs up, tiny wings flapping as he manages a miniscule hiss.

He is not someone's pet!]

...not a pet. A shinki, then?

[Leo crouches down, though he's not dumb enough to try and pick up an intelligent dragonling without permission.]

[ At least someone seems to be able to think things through well. The mention of shinki gets a small nod of acknowledgement from Estinien, small wings flapping. He knows what that is! He's not a pet!

In his best imitation of good behavior, Estinien trots over and sits down, watching Leo intently. Come on, he can't be the only God with this kind of problem right?]

Right, you're intelligent. That may make this easier...so. Are you a shinki?

[ Leo, this may just be what gets you those bonus reputation points with Estinien.

The question gets a small shake of the head as Estinien taps one taloned foot against the ground. The other one, the other one.]

...a god, then? Who can transform?

[ The tail thumping against the ground and the nodding gives the answer away. Finally. From what Estinien has heard, Leo has been here a while. He must know of something that will help.

Otherwise what is the alternative? Be stuck as a round small dragon forever? Belay the thought. Estinien mulls something over before huffing. He never was good at charades even when he had opposable digits.]

Alright. Next question: do I know you? I know you're not Aymeric or Lady Yona, but otherwise...

[ That's a tough one really. Estinien knows of Leo, they've spoken before, but he wouldn't say they were on best friend terms.

For what it's worth the question gets a small pause before the dragon whelp nods. Sure, they know each other.]

[Leo nods and starts rattling off the gods he knows.]

Not Aymeric or Izumo...or Lady Sakura or Yona...I don't actually know that many people, now that I'm thinking about--

[Oh gods. Leo stops, thinking.]

Estinien?!

[ The dragoon idly wonders if he ought to look into some kind of quill and parchment, something to get a message across somehow.

Thankfully for both of them Leo is smart if not sharp and if dragons could look relieved this one is doing just that. Finally. Maybe Leo knows someone who can undo shit like this? It can be the first time a God has magicked themselves by accident. The mention of his name gets another nod and a tail thump for good measure.

Look, he hates this, but send help. He can't be dealing with being a dragon again.]

Well. This is. Huh.

[Leo stares for a moment before pulling out his phone. First he checks which god Estinien is filling in for, then he goes right to Google to see if he can figure out what that god has to do with dragons, just in case.]

Okay. I've dealt with these sorts of magicks before, so let's start with the simplest method of breaking the curse. Focus solely on being human again. Imagine your body being yours, not this round dragonling's.

[ Leo has experience with these kinds of things? Finally, someone who knows something. Right now Leo is the most popular person in Estinien's vicinity and he sits, head tilted as he listens to what's being said.

That's it? Meditation and willing himself back? Estinien is pretty sure that he should have turned back into an elezen several times over by now, but alright he'll try it.

There's a good solid minute of silence, small beady eyes narrowing in concentration and then —

Nothing. Estinien deflates a little, complete with a huff. This is it, leave him here to die.]

So not your god power, then?

[Hm.]

Do you mind if I pick you up to take you to my temple? I can work a curse or two there that might break whatever curse is on you.

[It is not the owner of the temple that finds the small dragon but rather one of the animals living on the property; a hawk to be precise. Thankfully, it is not Luna otherwise the knife she usually carries would be not in her mouth. Instead, it's a different one and one Estinien may know as Myst. Tilting his head, he starts to use his talons to try to roll the dragon out of curiosity but stops when he hears his owner's voice and flies off.]

Be at ease Myst, that is not a toy to play with.

[Is that...a dragonet?]

You seem to be lost, aren't you?

[Time to pick up the little one and see what to do next.]

[ Of all the ways Estinien expected to be spending his day, it certainly wasn't trying to fend off Myst who seems intent on pushing him over. The whole thing is bad enough and that's just insult to injury and just as Aymeric shows up is the moment Estinien snaps the air in Myst's direction.

lost? Oh no, he knows that voice. If a small dragon could show trepidation, this one is doing a fine job of it as Estinien peers over at Aymeric. Right now he could do with some good old Ishgardian prejudice against dragons and — who is he kidding? This is Aymeric they're talking about.

His attempt at escape is futile as Aymeric moves to pick him up and it's all Estinien can do to squirm and hiss, hoping his friend puts him the hell down. How is he meant to go home and brood over things like this? It only takes a moment for Estinien to realize it's a futile effort and the squirming lessens as he huffs instead.

This is the worst, he can only hope for some kind of a swift death. If this is what Gods had to put up with then he felt nothing more than pity for them.]

[It could have been worse; it could have been Mandragora who came by and decide to use him as a scratching post. Meanwhile, Aymeric is keeping the strange dragonet in his arms until they get inside the temple and to the kitchen. Hey, it's pretty much one of the few places where he can always be found as he looks the little guy over.]

Hmm, you don't seem to have any signs of injury. And there does not seem to be a sign of being someone's comrade...

[Wouldn't this be an amusing story to tell later. Meanwhile, there is something else watching the two behind some of Aymeric's cookbooks.]

[ Estinien supposes that this whole thing could be a hundred times worse. Being carried is a little demeaning but luckily for him it's just Aymeric. The pair of them have carried each other before without the need of a dragonet form. Had it been anyone else there would have been much more hissing and spitting but for now Estinien settles for the surliest of silences.

If this stuff doesn't wear off he's going to have to spend the rest of his life like this. How would anyone even call this living? For someone with little purpose left these days, Estinien sure is in a rush to get back to normal.

Now is the time to figure this out, to try and communicate. Maybe some kind of charades? Motions? Estinien isn't sure and he mulls it over, pausing only to look towards the cookbooks. He can't see what's there (if anything) but he sure hopes that if there is something watching them it's either as dumb as Myst is or anything but Mandragora. Anything.]

Hmm?

[Aymeric takes notice of the dragonet's movement as he too looks over at the tomes...visibly relaxing when a small white paw makes itself known. Along with the rest of the animal's body as they reveal themselves as the other cat of the temple; the small and not cranky one.]

Oh Angel, you just wished to see who has come, have you?

[As if a reply, she hops over to the Estinien dragon whelp and starts to sniff him.]

[ Estinien isn't one for praying much but you can bet he's sending some kind of thankful message to the Gods that this time it's Angel and not the murderous demon masquerading as a cat.

Estinien suffers the sniffing for a few seconds before huffing again, turning his back pointedly on the cat as his tail twitches. Seriously.

Aymeric, for his sins, gets an unimpressed look from the small dragon. Is this really how things were going to go?]

You are unaccustomed to cats? Be at ease, Angel is friendly.

[The kitten gives a soft mew as she rubs her head on the dragonet. Meanwhile, Aymeric is pondering about this creature and if they have a home.]

Have you gotten lost? Mayhap I can help to find your home.

[ It's more that Estinien is unaccustomed to ginormous sized cats. Being so small means things are suddenly larger (Aymeric Included) and so when Angel starts to rub her head against him Estinien reacts in the only way he knows how. By spinning around, hissing and taking a swipe. He'll at least make sure said swipe is through thin air and not particularly aimed.

This is going to be a nightmare. What if it doesn't wear off????

Right. Time for some kind of action. Normally he'd not admit it's himself in this pickle, instead feigning ignorance and hiding until it wore off. Now there's the unknown thrown in, Estinien opts to just go with it. Aymeric would at least understand so he peers up at the other, giving a nod and the tap of one taloned foot.]

[Immediately, Angel sees the swipe and skitters off into the next room and Aymeric simply sighs.]

I suppose you care not for them. But Angel is a good kitten and loves many, even if someone is grumpy.

[Now to figure out what to do with this little dragon. Aymeric has to ponder of what has already been laid out before him: a strange dragonet has appeared with no sign of belonging to anyone and assuming it is lost. So if that is the case...]

This might be a peculiar question to ask you but, are you a god or shinki?

[He'll take a simple nod for an answer since the dragonet is intelligent enough to understand him.]

[ Estinien will have words with Angel when he gets his vocal chords back. They probably understand what's going on more than Aymeric does right now at any rate.

There is a sinking suspicion that Aymeric wouldn't be too thrilled to know his friend had just taken a swipe at any rate. Estinien will cross that bridge when he comes to it, focusing on the conversation at hand.

Really Aymeric. Estinien mulls over how he's meant to communicate he's a God and not a shinki before opting for a nod and a tail thump. Gods he hates that tail, he hates all of this, but it isn't as if it works as willed.]

[Alright, they're getting somewhere.]

Tap once for 'god', twice for 'shinki'.

[ Okay now it's getting better; this is something Estinien can at least answer. He's just going to thump his tail once and give Aymeric a look.

Come on, friend. There's a reason why Aymeric is considered to be the smart one.]

[Why are you giving him a Look? He doesn't seem to know you but-hold on, isn't there a god who also has a dragon form? Aymeric's mind is starting to filter until it reaches one in particular.]

Oh...shite.

[He didn't even realize the swear left his mouth, too into the moment of realizing that he picked up his best friend AND he is a tiny dragonet. Ok part of it is cute but like hells he's gonna say that.]

Estinien?! What in the Fury's name happened?

[ There it is, the gil has dropped and Aymeric has finally figured it out. Estinien thumps his short tail one the table top another time, looking as shocked as a baby dragon can at the curse the other lets loose. It's rare to hear Aymeric swear so easily.

Estinien is going to torment him over that one forever, despite the fact Aymeric has more ammo when it comes to blackmail.

Now all Estinien can do is try to not look stupid as the obvious question comes next. He's not a hundred percent sure on that himself. He just knows that right now everything sucks and he's pretty sure that with the exception of one cat on the grounds, all the other animals probably see him as food. Estinien will kick all their asses, chubby whelpling legs or no.

For the first time since being scooped up Estinien decides to make some noise, the grumble obvious in it's displeasure. Is there not some God fixer here or something?]

[He shakes his head, rubbing at his temple because he was not prepared for this. Sure some weird things has happened and there was the time where he saw when Nidhogg possessed him, but this was all Estinien and in a form that would make any Ishgardian shudder.

And besides, Mandragora would kick his ass no matter the form.]

Pray forgive my outburst but I was not expecting this to happen. Did someone do this to you?

[ It truly is a sight to behold, seeing Aymeric actually flustered and thrown by a situation. If Estinien wasn't currently rocking a robust form right now he'd be mildly impressed. Instead all he can do is commiserate a little. Everything feels strange and with different senses kicking in Estinien wonders what else is in store for him. Is his sense of smell better or has this room always smelled like this?

It's this kind of stuff that will keep Estinien awake, though for the time being he'll settle for changing back so he can lay awake in elezen comfort.

Aymeric's question gets a shake of the head. Not that he's aware of. Estinien knows he'd been checking into his new skills as a God, the only real explanation is he did this to himself. He's completely unaware there's a time limit that's swiftly ticking down — today is a day of surprises it seems.]

[Hey, he can be normal once in awhile.]

Then...this is your god ability? I do recall which god you are assigned but must they have gone to a literal sense?

[Seriously, why are the Heavens such dicks at times?]

Surely that they would not have you stay this way permanently?! Mayhap I should call Leo and gain his opinion of the situation...

[ Yup, they had to go literal. Those in charge saw an opportunity and they took it.

The question gives Estinien pause for thought. He shouldn't stay this way, no matter how much he's concerned about staying in a form that could only be described as roly-poly, even he gets the feeling it's not permanent. Right???

Leo's name gets another shake of the head and a loud huff. No. Estinien doesn't want anyone else in on this if he has a say in it. Must you shame him so, Aymeric?]

I know nothing of magic and you surely do not wish to stay that way forever, yes?

[And Leo would not think any less of him! Right?]

[ Aymeric has a point but.... Estinien would just rather find somewhere to stay until it blows over somehow, out of sight from prying eyes. An enemy would find it a hilarious weakness and who knew what watched from the surroundings in the heavens?

Estinien turns his back on Aymeric, giving another huff as he sits back down. No, he doesn't want to see anyone else. If he has to try and fly away on these tiny little wings then so be it.]

Surely, you do not wish to stay in that form while an enemy is around? Mayhap even Mandragora may find a way to land a blow.

[He's worried, alright? But he can't help but pick up the little dragon (and if he struggles, he's given the mentioned cat a bath before. Try him.) carefully.]

Thankfully, Leo's temple is next to this one. Only the hawks will be able to see us.

[It's been awhile since Nephenee was back home, where she'd been friends and comrades with the other race of Tellius known as Laguzm who could shift from grand animals to humanoids with animal characteristics just as quick as you could blink. She rather missed Ranulf when he had been here, but he had been a Cat Laguz...she hasn't seen a Dragon one in quite awhile.

So when she sees the small put-upon dragon, she has to wonder if they're one of the ones from her world. It doesn't look familiar...but gosh, is it ever cute! But she knows enough to not gush out loud.

In her head is a different story. Oh my gosh, it's so cute an' pudgy!

Thankfully for Estinien's wounded pride, when she approaches, it's not like that. She's just very friendly as she squats down near him.]

Well, hi there, lil' fella. Ya new 'round here?

[Unlike last time he saw her, she's not at all shy right now. Because cute critter!]

Edited 2018-11-21 23:08 (UTC)

[ If Estinien had any inkling he was currently being considering "cute" he would have done everything in his power to look the opposite. He's a dragoon (or he was) and the idea that someone could find any part of him cute is so far out there that it barely even crosses his mind.

Which just makes him all the more unsuspecting when he glances up at Nephenee. if he could hear thoughts then the dragon would be making a quick exit by now. Thankfully he can still understand what is being said, the question getting a small shake of the head as he sits back and looks up.

No, he's not new. Not at all.]

[Unfortunately for Estinien, secluded places are some of Wendy's favorite places to be. For starters, it's far away from the shenanigans of her god and everyone else who gets dragged into the whole sparkly things. Wendy cares for Hibiki, she really does, and living in a big shining castle is pretty nice... But sometimes it's just a bit much.]

[The other good thing about secluded places is that it lets her get in her acrobatics practice, plus some borderline practice when she's feeling up to it, without anyone fussing over her well being. It hasn't really happened yet but it feels like it really could at any time... Sure, she's spinning high above the air, and doing flips that could break her neck if she lands them wrong... But she knows what she's doing. Really.]

[So it's a little bit of a surprise to go wandering for a good enough place to practice and come across, well. A fat lizard? She thinks it's a fat lizard. Cautious but curious, Wendy edges a little closer.]

Are you someone's pet...?

[Hey, it's possible. Shun has vultures and metal hell birds. Anything is possible in the Far Shore.]

[ Despite being transformed into the most heinous of things (Estinien's opinion of dragons right now still at it's lowest point) he can't help but watch this newcomer as they flip and tumble through the air. It's only with the experience he has a dragoon of Ishgard that has him casting a critical eye on the few jumps he catches sight of. Not bad, could be better but then there's no pleasing dragoons sometimes.

If Estinien had any inkling Wendy considered him to be a fat lizard he'd be unsure on if he should be offended or not. Dragons are the worst, but fat lizard?

For now he huffs quietly, peering up at Wendy and stupidly hoping they were not the kind who considered pets as a food source as he wags his tail once.]

[Hey, she's just calling it as she sees it, buddy!]

[Still, for a fat lizard... Wendy quirks her head to the side at the tail wag. She knows that's the same for dogs, but is it the same for lizards? Maybe it really is somebody's pet.]

Then, maybe you're hungry? I think I brought some cookies with me when I left this morning...

[Because, hey, why not? Swiping some sweat away from her forehead with her hand, Wendy turns back in the direction of where she left her bag even as she keeps an eye on the lizard.]

[ Estinien wouldn't be so irked if it wasn't true; even he can feel how round he is for a dragonet. Pah.

The tail wag is one of the only ways Estinien can think of communicating something positive. Earlier attempts at talking had only resulted in raspberry noises so it's just safer this way. The newcomer gets a curious look though, Estinien peering over at the bag, looking as if he totally understands what's being said.

No, he doesn't want cookies but if it means that he's not going to be eaten by a larger predator right now then he'll take it and the small dragon trots on over in the direction of the bag, not even waiting for Wendy to go over to it.]

Hey! Y'lil' git-!

[For just a brief second, the carefully designed cutesy tone of her voice flickers away, leaving behind something a little rougher to the tongue. Huffing, she speeds up her own jog before reaching down to flick the lizard's head. The thing has scales; she's sure she's not hurting it much if at all.]

Don't you go diggin' in there! I have lady's thing in there.

[Crouching down besides her bag, she eyes the lizard.]

Unless you're a lady lizard... S'not like I can tell.

[There are ways to find out but, frankly, not only is she not knowledgeable in the realm of lizards, but she'd really rather not see anything weird. Instead, she focuses on getting out a tiny little bag that's tied off with a pink ribbon and tugs it open. While she has more than enough money to buy cookies herself, she likes making fresh made ones. They're still a little warm as she tugs one out as an offering.]

Don' nip my finger, or I'll punt ya.

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