Having plenty of time to counsel his mun...

[elderspeaksfirst]

Joor feim. Mortal things pass, both good and ill. Bide for a while, and some may yet return to you.

[He lowers his head a moment, thinking.]

You are often eager to hunt more than you can bear. Diin frini. You have enough left before you, and I… [a low chuckle] Zu dein drem. I am patient. I will have tinvaak with those who will speak, teach those who will listen, fly freely in the skies once more. That is more than enough to content me.

Comments

[sonof_thrain]

Dragon.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Thorin. Drem Yol Lok.

[sonof_thrain]

Paarthurnax. [He is good at being civil when he wants. Even next to a dragon.]

[elderspeaksfirst]

[Courtesy is - if not precisely easier - longer-practiced, from the other end.] You have fared well, in your travels?

[sonof_thrain]

I could be better but aye, I am well.

What of you, dragon?

[elderspeaksfirst]

Pruzah. I have worthy friends and purpose both. Cause enough to be pleased... whatever else my sorrows.

[shendude]

I find your advice somewhat lacking, brother dragon. Contrary to the vernacular, good things do not come to those that wait, but those that seize them.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Boziik zii. Living things cannot be seized so readily. Grasp too hard, and you are likely to crush them.

[shendude]

Undeniably. Yet only to those unskilled and skill comes only from the attempt.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Paaz. A fair point. But part of that skill lies in koraav tiid, choosing the moment to strike. They must learn this as well.

[shendude]

Biding ones time is another tactic useful only to the inexperienced. We seem to be trapped in a circle, brother.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Have you often hunted, boziik gein? There is a difference between failing to act and choosing when to act. Fen ni sahlo. One cannot ride the storm before it has risen, nor seize an opportunity that is not there.

[shendude]

One may, if they have the talent to create opportunity whenever they wish. Should I wish to ride a storm, I shall summon one. If that is not the way of a dragon, then what is?

[elderspeaksfirst]

Perhaps it is assuming that we should command all things as readily as the skies.

[shendude]

Why brother, you say that almost as if you disagree.

[elderspeaksfirst]

I do. Ours are not the only voices worthy of being heard. Nahlot Thu'umme los dukaan. There is no honor in silencing the rest.

[shendude]

Alas... it seems you have mistaken yourself for an overly large gecko. Of course we should rule, without input from lesser creatures.

[elderspeaksfirst]

A typical answer. Zul se kah. Hmmh. It is our nature to seek dominion. I acknowledge this. But is it also our way to hide from an honorable challenge? Bovul vahzen?

I was hoping someone played him!

[drun_dinok]

[... Well. One of the few beings in the world she actually has great patience with, hi there.]

Drem yol lok lot in, Paarthurnax. Kos has pruzah?

[She's been taking the time to study it, at least.]

It's a little surprising to see you here.

Happy to oblige, especially for a Dragonborn :3

[elderspeaksfirst]

[His head turns immediately at a voice both familiar and dear. If it isn't one of his favourite students.]

Lok, Thu'um, Dovahkiin. [And there's a distinct pleasure in his words, in the very taste of them.] Zu lost neh pruzaan. Ahrk hin mindok wahl.

[He must incline his head a little at her remark, admitting the truth of it.] It was... voprodah, unexpected to be entangled in these games of mortals. But perhaps not as strange as it seems.

I only got Skyrim recently so I've been playing it a lot... he's one of my favorites.

[drun_dinok]

It's surprising for me, too. So many worlds I didn't think existed.

... I'm still working on saving ours, as well.

[There's still the Elder Scroll to find, but she's taken some time to build up her strength and mind... she's not sure how she'll react when she sees it, after all. Better to be strong in mind and body when going into such a task.]

The... mundane... that has me right now is unsure of what to do with me. I think I surprised him. He's not sure if I should be thrown into one of his games.

His conversations are awesome. Though a bit harder to write from his end. :P

[elderspeaksfirst]

[He listens, as ever, to the intent behind the words as much as the mere sound. He knows what she may do - what he judges her capable of, but that fate is hers to make, not his to promise.]

Your determination holds. Paaz. Perhaps you are more certain than your mundane, hm? Sossedov mindok laani. How do you judge these destinations?

I can imagine. The language alone must take a while, if only for spelling...

[drun_dinok]

There's one where I'd like to go, but there's already a... well, a 'me' there, though she's definitely not like me at all.

The other destination he had in mind is... interesting... but they toy with souls. I don't want to know what they'd do with mine and the souls I carry with me.

He's been thinking of finding a place for me at some other destinations he's been eying, but he has... studies that get in the way.

Takes a bit of practice, but I imagine playing the Dovahkiin has its own challenges

[elderspeaksfirst]

Onikaan bovul thursesille. You are wise to be wary. It will be challenge enough for you to master your own nature without volaan wahl wuldde... mischievous interference.

It does. I like it, though.

[drun_dinok]

I don't mind waiting, though. I've taken in two little girls, and leaving them while the situation at home is still chaotic would be unwise.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Indeed. As long as Alduin remains, they too are in danger.

[Her news is pleasing, though. A note of hope in all the turmoil, for three people at least.]

You have begun to make Keizaal your own land, vahlok gron. But do you think your mundane will delay until it is safe?

[drun_dinok]

[She shakes her head.]

I doubt it. But he did say he would not place me in a situation where I could never return home, thankfully.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Even they do not dare tear you wholly from the wuldsetiid. Though we could just as easily be returned to the point from which we left... if these malinne chose it.

[ringmage]

[It's a dragon! A talking dragon at that.

In text far more ancient than Arobrea itself, dragons were often mentioned as both friends and foes. Some dragons would assist the common-folk in times of great strife or famine. Meanwhile, others would often lay waste to great kingdoms and nations with just a single breath.

Elfarian never had the luxury of meeting these mythical beasts, that is until now.]

Why would a dragon find need to advise others?

[elderspeaksfirst]

It is seldom the way of the dov to offer aid, hm? Yet it is our nature to speak what truth we know. To share that knowledge, to offer guidance... that is the path I have chosen. Vahlok dein heyv.

[ringmage]

But why would you choose this path willingly? You do realize your words shall only fall upon deaf ears.

[elderspeaksfirst]

Aam? Joorre nis huzrah? Have mortals lost the power to listen? Or do you speak only of those who would... hm, guide us?

[wallcrawler]

...yeah, I understood maybe half of that.

[Because HOLY CRAP, DRAGON. Also, he couldn't find his Dova > English pocket dictionary anywhere.]

[elderspeaksfirst]

Hm. Half an understanding is a fair beginning. [There's a glint in his pale eyes, a quiet humour in his voice.] You have not heard the dovah speech before, correct?

[wallcrawler]

Considering I have no idea what you're talking about, I'm gonna go with "yes."

[elderspeaksfirst]

I am speaking of my native tongue, mal gein. The language of the dragonkind. Your ignorance of it is... mindoraan. Understandable.

[moonandstar]

Hmm...now there's not something you see every century.

[Because it can't be overstated but HOLY SHIT, DRAGON.]

A Nerevarine! Excellent!

[elderspeaksfirst]

[Paarthurnax uncoils his neck to look closer, curious. Easy to sense the way the currents of time twist about this one.]

Vokoraav - unseen, perhaps. But I have been present through them all. Hmh. It has been long since I saw one such as you, vulfahliil.

Indeed. I've also got a Caius.

[moonandstar]

[There is a distance of centuries between them, bridged and sundered by unnatural means. Even the Minute Menders could not say how. Once more the Aka-Tusk has been cheated and sundered. Wuldsetiid los tahrodiis.

The mer's soul is harder to read, if Paarthurnax can smell it. Perhaps the floral fragrance of Moonshadow wafts from it, where it has visited so many times as its matron has snatched it from the hungry jaws of the Dreamsleeve. Or perhaps it does not. Perhaps both of these things are true. Whatever the case, the Hortator is as ignorant as his mun wills him to be. He speaks not of it and talks plainly as his not!father taught him to.]

Yes. I would think that sort of encounter would be something my people would remember.

Nice. I'm just nibbling my way through Morrowind, but Caius is pretty awesome.

[elderspeaksfirst]

[There are those bent and pulled by the tides of fate, and there are those about whom fate is bent. Easy to sense: much harder to trace the threads of time where they skip and twine and echo back upon one another. Or that tinge of Daedric power threading through them. The dovah is a child of time: difficult for him to grasp what time itself cannot. Perhaps he's all the more fascinated for that.]

Vahrukt vofeim. They will have much to remember in future. [His tone is contemplative, not threatening.] I have visited little of the world since your people were changed. Your land is called Morrowind now, is it not?

Not many men his age can pull off the "perpetually shirtless" look.

[moonandstar]

It is. Many centuries have passed since the time of Resdayn.

I'm hoping our next memories aren't...too unpleasant.

[Garyn's next experience of dragons will be beneficial, though indirect. The Prince of Plots in his gratitude shall grant him the yuvon yol zahkrii of ancient times, though she has not done so yet. Perhaps his mun will defy time for a moment and let Paarthurnax see it.]

True that. Heck, even skooma doesn't slow him down.

[elderspeaksfirst]

As do I. Krosis. I am not the only dovah who returns to the skies. Nor even the first. Hind tiid los aaz. I cannot say how mortalkind will judge what is to come.

[There's something curious - the glimpse of a familiar weapon, gifted to a champion long ago. Though lost to the hands of any kaalsedov, it's a little gratifying to find the work of his kind lingering yet, resurfacing in its own time. Paarthurnax lifts his head with a short 'hmh', a sound of pleased recognition.]

Though perhaps you will taste our power long before then. What is your name, motmahus gein?

I'm not certain if he REALLY uses it, to be honest. In my mind, it's part of his cover.

[moonandstar]

You mean to say that all of you will return?

[His tone suggests this almost isn't a question. He does not comment on the snippets of Draconic speech. He's not the sort to ask stupid questions.]

I am Garyn Balvadares. And what is your name, dragon?

Good point. I just assumed he'd have to down some now and then for the look of it

[elderspeaksfirst]

Fod wuldsetiid kreh. When the currents of time have turned. Then my zeymahhe may be woken once again.

[Will. Have. It is much the same, after all.]

I am Paarthurnax. Drem Yol Lok - greetings to you. Though I wonder, Garyn Balvadares: who are you, among your people?

If you talk to folks at the Cornerclub, they note that he holds his skooma better than a Khajiit.

[moonandstar]

Hmm...it will be an interesting day when that happens.

[Garyn has little else to say about this, except that it can't possibly be a good thing. He's not about to say that in front of an enormous dragon, though.]

For now? I am nobody. To my own people, I am less than that. A sellsword from Leyawiin, brought up from the gutter by a martinet with delusions of grandeur. My mundane has begun my story at an early point in my life.

It's one way to get a reputation...

[elderspeaksfirst]

Interesting. Yes. Kestsedez. A day of great peril... and suffering. But it is not a day without hope. Kogaan wah lein. I will be waiting to give what aid I can.

[Paarthurnax is well aware of what it means for mortalkind, and no compunctions about admitting it. Even with Alduin's defeat close on the heels of his return. Leaderless dovahhe are still very far from harmless.]

The better to understand your path, hm? Onikaan. A fair method. But I am ill-informed of a great deal these days. Including Leyawiin. [His pronunciation of the name is a bit odd, perhaps, having last heard it in a bygone age and accent.] What path does a sellsword take upon those streets?

Re: It's one way to get a reputation...

[moonandstar]

Yes? Aid to whom?

[Garyn sighs at this.]

A steady one, though not as exciting as you might think, even in the southeastern marches. Caravan escort work more than anything else. Makes you look forward to the odd bandit camp or vampire hunt. Though lately, work has gotten more...unsavory.

[elderspeaksfirst]

There is one coming with the power to save Vus, our world from destruction. That is who I await, upon the Throat of the World.

[The dragon may never have been a mercenary himself, but in some ways all service is much the same.]

Kendov nis uth thuri... The warrior cannot guarantee his master's honor, hm?

[moonandstar]

Some sort of prophecy, eh? Wouldn't know anything about that.

[Garyn grunts].

True enough. Ideally, I'd find a new master, but...well. I'm not certain what I'll do. The mer who adopted me is dead now.