Active [Republic - Paizu Mountains] Ashes of the Past

[Cutiefly]

Hi, this is a thread for Isekai Hell. I am the narrator, Cutiefly.

Summary
Stormbreaker sets out to get the curse of it she was inflicted with a few rps okay where she constantly craved drugs. Along the way, she has to confront her past and deal with the draconians that she got exiled from.

No real character goals aside from SB dealing with her tribe.

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art is credited here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Age:
36 (at the time of death in previous world)
32 (currently)
68 (chronologically)
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet, Kungfu Fighter, Pro Hero, Pokeable Gray Matter

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.
Kungfu Fighter - Character was part of a street brawl.
Pokeable Gray Matter - Very squish, much jiggle, thoughts exposed.

Skill Related:
Pro Hero - Character is a former pro hero in their pre-isekai'd life. They protected innocents and kept the peace.

Stats:
Strength | A Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | A Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: Passives:
Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Resilient [Fatigue, Pain, Fear] | D Grade | She still feels them but won't suffer from these three effects.
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet
Equipment:

Spoiler

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Fire today, who knows tomorrow? Good thing it’s fireproof. Probably.
• Armored Dragon's Armor | B Grade | 7 Points
  • Perfect for any vigilante trying to look menacing and mysterious on a budget. Although the paint on it isn't the best. Caution: may come with the side effect of looking dark and brooding.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Knock, knock! Who’s there? Justice!​
• Hero's Claymore | B Grade | 7 Points
  • It’s a sword. Big, heavy, and... not much else to say. If you need to slice through a bunch of stuff, this'll do the job. Though it’s not very good at making small talk.​

She had been travelling for weeks. Attempting to get through this literal hell she had put herself through. Day after day was a struggle. She was getting sicker by the second because of her withdrawal effects. It was like walking through glass. The withdrawals often left her exhausted in some shape or form, but her body was always okay. It had to be. She couldn’t die. Miiya knew how much Stormy was suffering. Those people did this to her, made her suffer long enough.

She had travelled for a bit. Nobody could ever help her in her travels to find some cure that she needed. So she kept asking. Over and over, her travels led her to the Republic. They had told her there was some village in the mountains. The same mountains she was born into once she was Isekai’d to this world. She didn’t want to go back or deal with it again. But as she got closer and got more information, she managed to track down that plant that could cure her in the village. The same plant that did help her recover from death once before.

Stormbreaker trudged through the heavy snow and cold environment when she was walking. It was cold. Colder than it was in Red Haven. She had made Miiya made sure of that and made sure her companion at least bundled up with extra clothes. They had been travelling for a while now. Stormbreaker was just tired as hell through this all.

As soon as she got closer, her memories came back. This was the same village after all that wasn’t too far from the tribe. The soldiers from this village found her near death not too far away in what they call “No Man’s Land” as nobody came back from that area they were patrolling. Those hostile Draconians often hunted, killed, or captured you. They didn’t take kindly to foreigners. The soldiers were lucky they didn’t get killed saving her life.

As she entered the village, she did nothing but sigh. It wasn’t too big of a village, but it often had a lot of soldiers around because of the Draconians. Despite it all, they didn’t seem to panic when they noticed the huge hulking figure walking towards the village.

Art by Javier Herrera. Art is credited here.​

A nearby guard did watch the draconian, with their Katana at the ready, as they judged the outsider. As they did so, another guard did approach, although they looked to be slightly different, having more armor and all compared to the other guards. They didn’t hold any form of caution as they so, unlike the others, and just greeted her, looking her up and down.

“Stormbreaker.” came the voice from the older, more experienced guard. “You... look bigger. You’ve brought a friend too. An aerial. Good to see you're still alive, though. It’s been over 10 years since I found you near No Man’s Land. You nearly died.”

“Captain Kuroshi. Of course I remember. You were the one that saved me after all. This here is Miiya. We met over 7 years ago. I’ve been wondering the world since then.” Stormbreaker sighed. And also trying my best to die, to no avail. Now I’m back here. Typical.

“What are you back for? I thought you were never going to come back. Not after what they did to you.” He only just looked concerned when he spoke. “They’ve been expanding their land. Might get closer to the village soon and just take it over. We have no chance of surviving against them, you know. Too powerful.”

“The plant. You know the one. But if you want me to solve your little draconian problem, I can deal with that too. Just gotta take one step at a time. I can deal with them now.” She spoke.

“They should be selling the plant in the marketplace if you want it... as for the draconian. I must warn you, that you should have extreme caution. They don’t talk things out, remember?” He spoke. “I’ll leave you be. You know where the inn is, right?” The guard then walked away to leave the two of them be.

“Ugh. The inn is that way... but I need to get that potion made from the plant first. Then we can go eat, okay?” Stormbreaker said. She knew Miiya being out in the cold too long was a bad thing and they both needed a place to lie low and just chill out. Stormbreaker did make her way to the marketplace, paying for the potion and well consuming it for now. It did feel like a breath of air, finally having that off the back of her mind.

No more withdrawal effects. So she made herself to the Inn with Miiya in tow to grab food. She sat down to order a lot of food. " I bet you want to ask about what’s going on. I should explain. I’m sorry."

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

Mentions: Cutiefly

Miiya loved the mountains and the cold. This was the environment of her people, and she loved it all the more for having grown up with the flatlanders, never knowing the thrill of soaring on ridgetop updrafts, or glorying in the sparkling snowflags streaming from frozen mountaintops, until she visited her homeland.

These were lower, colder mountains, but mountains all the same, and Miiya reveled in her return to the heights. As the icy winds blew over her feathers, she felt as if they were washing away the filth and depravation of Red Haven. The strong sunlight leeched out, and the icy snow scrubbed away the last of the regrets of that swampy city.

Well, not the last of them, but the last of her own. Miiya had done great, and terrible, things in Red Haven, but the Aerial woman had learned to forgive herself, to put the bygone behind her when she flew on, and not to dwell on the ghosts of the past. She was a bit [in]famous now. She was still (comparatively) rich with some of the cascade of wealth and pleasures--that had almost buried her--still clinging to her heels. She’d mostly shaken off the affects of the drugs and party lifestyle, for Miiya’s deeper addictions were rooted in pain, not pleasure, and left little room for new ones to take hold.

The same could not be said for Stormbreaker. The woman was hurting, and Miiya couldn’t help but feel guilty for her own buoyant spirits while her old friend suffered. Miiya would walk through the blizzards, trudging beside SB with one wing wrapped around the draconic woman; offering comfort and shielding from the wind and biting chill. The Aerial would stay ground-bound until her feet and legs were numb from hardfoot. It was the least she could do, besides accompanying her friend on this quest to rid the draconic woman of her afflictions.

Eventually, though, she would have to beg off--to go fly and “scout ahead”--excusing herself for a few hours of relief upon the wing. She didn’t hide her happiness from Stormbreaker, exactly, but nor did she rub her friend’s nose in it. If Miiya felt like singing--as she often did these days--she’d find a high empty mountain cave or snowfield to serenade with her voice and the reedy tones of her erhu.

Dirge was too heavy to pack along, and had been left with the shipping company, awaiting her summons at journey’s end. Meanwhile, she carried--besides her supplies--the traditional stringed instrument of her mother; the first upon which she had ever played.

In the Village
Miiya followed SB’s lead and made polite introduction to Captain Kuroshi. “Pleased ta meetcha!” she cutsied and then fell silent while the two caught each other up.

Miiya didn’t like the sound of Draconic incursions--she’d seen the monster Stormbreaker could become when her blood was up. The memory of Sato-san with bloody fangs and claws, panting amidst the bodies, in Babel’s devastated lobby was far too fresh. “Eating sounds great!” Miiya replied, trying to keep the uncertainty out of her voice. This was Stormbreaker’s home, these were her people. Miiya would support her whatever she wanted to do, the birdgirl had already resolved to herself.

Miiya did what she could to help SB find the necessary herb and potion in the marketplace. She bit her tongue, suppressing an almost-innate urge to haggle on prices. They could easily afford SB’s medicine, and getting her friend relief quickly was far more important than saving a few rykes (and having fun in the process). Miiya was very glad of it when some of the tension seemed to drain out of Stormbreaker. Her draconic friend had been living with the pain of withdrawal for so long, and so stoically, that Miiya had almost forgotten SB’s constant discomfort.

“I mean, I get the general idea, but yeah--tell me.” Miiya encouraged Stormbreaker as they took their seats in the dusky interior of the village Inn. “How’s it feel to be back here after all these years?”

Miiya would listen intently to Stormbreaker’s recollections and explanations. She’d offer a few insights about how she felt when she returned “home” to Aerie, as well. The island of the Aerials was not her birthplace, but it was where her father--and his half of their clan--lived. The Aether clan considered her father an outcast, though they treated Miiya and her brother--children of the outcast--with more deference. Miiya had mixed feelings about Aerie and her family that lived there, and that was all she said for now. This was Stormbreaker’s hometown, and her quest. The Aerial--between inhaling her share of the meal--spent most of her words asking SB about the draconic’s history rather than detailing her own.

Miiya had one especially burning question to ask: “What’s your favorite food, here, anyway?” She inquired. “Let’s order a shu-load of it!!” she suggested with a broad grin.

 

[Cutiefly]

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art is credited here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Age:
36 (at the time of death in previous world)
32 (currently)
68 (chronologically)
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet, Kungfu Fighter, Pro Hero, Pokeable Gray Matter

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.
Kungfu Fighter - Character was part of a street brawl.
Pokeable Gray Matter - Very squish, much jiggle, thoughts exposed.

Skill Related:
Pro Hero - Character is a former pro hero in their pre-isekai'd life. They protected innocents and kept the peace.

Stats:
Strength | A Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | A Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: Passives:
Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Resilient [Fatigue, Pain, Fear] | D Grade | She still feels them but won't suffer from these three effects.
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet
Equipment:

Spoiler

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Fire today, who knows tomorrow? Good thing it’s fireproof. Probably.
• Armored Dragon's Armor | B Grade | 7 Points
  • Perfect for any vigilante trying to look menacing and mysterious on a budget. Although the paint on it isn't the best. Caution: may come with the side effect of looking dark and brooding.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Knock, knock! Who’s there? Justice!​
• Hero's Claymore | B Grade | 7 Points
  • It’s a sword. Big, heavy, and... not much else to say. If you need to slice through a bunch of stuff, this'll do the job. Though it’s not very good at making small talk.​

Stormbreaker sat down beside Miiya as she wanted to go explain. She didn’t like to be back here, she just wanted to be in Ryke or anywhere else. It felt strange. She didn’t want to be back here, not after everything that had happened. It felt empty. It didn’t feel like a reward. She had been over 10 years since she last stepped foot in there. She had left to make sure the Draconians didn’t find out she was here and, well, attack the village. Now she’s having to deal with them again. One thing after another.

“I don’t want to be back here. I’d much rather be with you in Ryke, but I had to go get that herb first since no healer could fix that. Glad I managed to get it fixed by now.” Stormbreaker said as she pulled her helmet off as she sat down on the table, putting into on the floor. “I was born into a tribe of Draconians that were not far from here.”

“They weren’t normal by any means. I had siblings, sure, but a lot of them ended up dead due to one particular rule. They killed or exiled anyone who was sick, injured, old, or weak. The tribe had no love for anybody that didn’t fit their rules.” She explained as she ordered her drink at the very least, just some fruit juice. It was something she always drank. As she got it, she took a drink of it. “I was one of the very few survivors of that rule. Made us strong that way. But they as well... had no love for anybody that wasn’t their species. People that got too close to our grounds? Dead or enslaved. They made an example of human and beastman species alike.”

“I had full dragon blood, unlike most of my species. That came with expectations. I was expected to lead. I failed the last test because they wanted me to kill a human, which I refused to do. So they beat me up, exiled me and left for me. The captain found me. Villagers didn’t trust me due to being one of those draconians that were out to kill them, but I gained their trust over time. Left soon as I was back on my feet again though.”

“... and now I’m here. I drifted from jobs to job, trying to find my own place in the world. Ugh...I think I’m strong enough to deal with them now, compared to how strong I first was, but I’m hesitant. I know they won’t listen to reason.” She only just laid back in her chair.

“It’s just normal food here, Miiya. Nothing different. They do have good pork dumplings though... and ramen. Although it’s hard to import the stuff, given we are high in the mountains so they use boar and deer instead. You know I really like both.” Stormbreaker commented. “We could try any of the other food too. They do have good curry here too. Honestly, anything is better after surviving on nothing but meat most of the time.”

Irihi

 

[SixSense]

Caelum Valentin

Titles: Mundane Human, Son of Jupiter

Mentions: Irihi Cutiefly

Id never think Id be here of all places

The thought would replay in the man’s head as powerful gusts of snow laced wind cut at his face. The road to the draconic village was a perilous one that required a test of one’s will. News of a group of humans whom grown highly aggressive had reached as far as the Eastern Empire and Ryke even. Truly, it was a shame. Man should be united, fighting against the other races that wished to cease their existence.

Perhaps, he could convince them. Introduce them to his Diety. Jupiter takes pleasure in the wrong and would gladly welcome strong warriors.

Caelum would pull his white hood further over his head to block out the snow that had been assaulted his forehead. In the distance he could see pillars of flames as a village came into view. Respite was near and lugging heavy armor and a large mace up a mountain was no easy feat.

---

A sigh of relief would come over him as he seen the majority human populace within the village. Mutts always made his skin crawl and being in this country full of them put him on edge.

He’d take seat at the inn, nearby Stormbreaker and Miiya. Pulling his hood back and revealing the mess of wet hair above his head. One of the waitresses would approach him.

“Your finest wine please, if that is not available, Ale will do. I’d also enjoy a hot meal. Whatever it takes to warm my body.” He’d smile with earnest. From behind, he would overhear Stormbreaker telling her story and relation to the nearby tribe of Draconians.

Sorrow and pain was evident in how she spoke, to lose friends and family in such a manner must have been painful. It was pain that he knew all too well.

“I apologize for eavesdropping sister, but it seems like our paths have been woven together by the threads of fate.”He’d shift in his chair to face them. “My name is Caelum Valentin, a follower of Jupiter. I too am in search of this village you speak of. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”​

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

Mentions: SixSense Cutiefly

Miiya listened intently as Stormbreaker detailed her history and her feelings surrounding her adoptive “home town.” “That’s… awful,” Miiya said, when Stormbreaker described how her tribe murdered the weak and enslaved or killed any non-draconians around them. “What made you different? the Aerial wanted to know. “I mean, it sounds terrible to me, but that’s because I was brought up differently. To you, it must have seemed normal, right? I mean, I thought everybody caught and ate river turtles and patched their clothes with scraps until I got old enough to go out on my own.” Miiya recalled. “What made you… I dunno… think that human was worth sparing?” Miiya asked, hesitantly.

The Aerial had seen Stormbreaker act like the draconics she described. When Essbee’s blood had been up, she had torn her enemies apart and devoured them. Miiya didn’t like to think on what she’d seen in her friend’s blood-soaked cell in Red Haven, but she knew now that there was a side of Arashi that she didn’t really know. That side was closer, here, now that they were near the mountain redoubt of her people.

Sometimes Miiya would see a hint of that monster in a sudden tension in Stormbreaker’s mein when they faced a threat, if her draconic friend was surprised, or even in the mutters and twitches of Arashi’s nightmares. To tell the truth, sometimes at night Miiya felt like she was laying next to a sleeping dragon; like a lamprey swimming next to a shark; as if, at any moment, she might find herself snapped up in those jaws, or incinerated by a blast of dragonfire.

But not really--not since Babel. Even drugged, abused and conditioned to kill on command, Essbee hadn’t hurt Miiya. I mean, not really. Miiya thought, ruefully. She still had tooth marks on her arm where Stormbreaker had bit her, but she still had that arm, and her life. If the power and resources of a Patron couldn’t make Essbee kill Miiya, then she wasn’t going to--no matter how many dumplings she stole from her draconic friend.

“Yoink!” Miiya grinned as she snatched a dumpling from the arriving bamboo steamer. “Yeah, normal food tastes better at high altitude.” she rejoined. “Or maybe it’s because we’ve been travelling. Anyway--’try?’--forget that.” Miiya laughed and pulled her hand away from the dumpling platter before she lost some fingers to her ravenous companion. “I say we ‘win’ all the foods. I’m buying. After all; this money ain’t gonna spend itself!”

That attitude was certainly a change from the normally-parsimonious birdgirl’s usual. She’d tried to leave most of the vestiges of Red Haven behind, but being a spendthrift was a keeper--at least for a little longer. Miiya enjoyed some of the trappings of wealth she’d accumulated as a (controversial) celebrity. Most people wouldn’t consider springing for lunch to be that big of a deal, but that was because they hadn’t known Miiya’s hardscrabble existence--nor her extreme thrift from before she’d become a minor rockstar. Essbee, however, had, and so she might appreciate the change in her feathered friend.

It was around then that Caelum spoke up, turning around from his own table to drop in on the women’s conversation. Miiya eyed the armored adventurer, taking note of the heavy weapon leaning against his chair. The birdgirl’s lips twisted and one of her eyebrows lifted into a skeptical cant. Who’s this ding-dong, now? she thought to herself. By his own admission he wasn’t a local, which meant he had (probably) hauled all that armor and weaponry upmountain by himself. Caelum had the look of a fresh-out adventurer or acolyte or whatever. I mean, who wears white robes? Either this dude is new to adventuring, or he uses a LOT of bleach, Miiya guessed. Miiya’s trusty leather travel gear had started out brown and was much browner now with layers of mud, blood, and sweat stains that never really scrubbed out.

He is kinda hunky tho. Miiya stifled that thought, and then decided to bury it under some kinda-joking, kinda-not, slightly-disparaging commentary. “I think you’ve got her confused with someone else, dude; I’m not seein’ a tail, so I don’t think yer her brother.” Miiya’s lips untwisted into a smile to soften her joke. The smile became a little smirky as she commented on Caelum’s introduction to Stormbreaker. “Hear that, Essbee? The ‘threads of fate’ are weaving us together with this F-O-B.” She lifted her chin at the man, thinking Stormbreaker would catch her meaning in calling Caelum out as “Fresh Off the Boat.”

“What’s up, fortune cookie?” she answered Caelum’s introduction with her own, giggling at the nickname, she gave him, that had come to her in a sudden flash of inspiration. ”I’m Miiya.” The angle of her cocked eyebrow became quizzical. “Who’s Jupiter, and where’s he leadin’ ya?”

 

[Cutiefly]

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art is credited here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Age:
36 (at the time of death in previous world)
32 (currently)
68 (chronologically)
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet, Kungfu Fighter, Pro Hero, Pokeable Gray Matter

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.
Kungfu Fighter - Character was part of a street brawl.
Pokeable Gray Matter - Very squish, much jiggle, thoughts exposed.

Skill Related:
Pro Hero - Character is a former pro hero in their pre-isekai'd life. They protected innocents and kept the peace.

Stats:
Strength | A Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | A Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: Passives:
Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Resilient [Fatigue, Pain, Fear] | D Grade | She still feels them but won't suffer from these three effects.
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet
Equipment:

Spoiler

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Fire today, who knows tomorrow? Good thing it’s fireproof. Probably.
• Armored Dragon's Armor | B Grade | 7 Points
  • Perfect for any vigilante trying to look menacing and mysterious on a budget. Although the paint on it isn't the best. Caution: may come with the side effect of looking dark and brooding.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Knock, knock! Who’s there? Justice!​
• Hero's Claymore | B Grade | 7 Points
  • It’s a sword. Big, heavy, and... not much else to say. If you need to slice through a bunch of stuff, this'll do the job. Though it’s not very good at making small talk.​

Stormbreaker paused when Miiya asks what made her different. “... My willingness to protect and save. It wasn’t normal for me. My dad who pushed me relentlessly, but it wasn’t a kill or kill be world like in my previous life. Sure, I was born with more power and because of said power I was... looked upon fondly.” She shook her head. “It was normal in their eyes, but it wasn’t normal in mine.” She then thought long and hard about what Miiya asked about the human.

“Because nobody deserves to suffer. I firmly believe that they were innocent to start with. These people were minding their own lives, and this happens.” Stormbreaker said with confidence. Sure, the experimentation on her still made her feral when facing a threat, but she didn’t lose herself. She never lost herself to it, not fully. There were a few times during their travels where she went full on berserker mode, almost on some bandits that were harassing some locals.

They didn’t exactly last long. Stormy ripped them apart. Miiya had to pull her back from it after as she went too far. She went berserk on the poor bandits. They... were dead within minutes. Stormbreaker only just cried to herself at what she had become and done after. The locals were terrified and just ran off at seeing the monster that had just saved them, cursing her and telling her she’s just like those monsters... those same monsters that everybody hates.

But she had mutterings in her nightmares about the entire ordeal. It’s about what Nimrod and Amon both did to her. Withdrawal from the addictive drug caused her sleepless nights and her body ached from its severe effects. Now she felt relieved as she had finally gotten relief for it overall.

“Hey!” Stormbreaker growled angrily like a beast as Miiya stole her dumpling. “I was going to eat that!” She wasn’t happy at that, but... they could always order more food. Not like they hadn’t been eating good on their travels, anyway.

Stormbreaker knew how to hunt. Well, not the best hunting skills she had, but she mostly hunted boars and deer. Those, along with the food they usually had on hand, were good for cooking with. So they survived off that and the occasional stopping past villages and buying food. But was it as well as eating at an actual restaurant? No. Nowhere close.

The bar staff took the man’s order and went to go away to get the ale he had requested. Stormbreaker glanced around the bar until she had noticed him. Somebody who she didn’t quite know of. Heavy robes. She had recognized most of the people in the tavern... the older gruff man behind the counter was somebody he was familiar with. Cut wood in his free time. His daughter was a waitress at this busy tavern. They knew the draconian decently, but that wasn’t... the issue here. The issue here was the newcomer.

Then that same guy approached. The same dude she was keeping an eye on. As he spoke, she only grew more curious about his intentions. Eastern Empire guy approaching a draconian and an aerial? Granted, we are both human in their eyes, so no wonder why they’d be okay with us. If I was anything else species wise, that might be an issue.

“Stormbreaker. I’m a vigilante that was born in that tribe nearby.” She sat on the other end of the table from him as well. The waitress came over with his food and wine. Stormbreaker only just had that default frowning expression on his face. “What brings you far from the East? Probably weren’t expecting to see a Draconian and Aerial at the table, right? She’s... more of my adopted daughter than anything else.” The draconian loved Miiya after all. She’d always keep her close and protected.

“Take a seat. Get to know us. I’d very much like to know what your deal is too and why you came up so far, but I’m going to take a guess and probably think it has something to do with my siblings and family trying to cause mayhem, like they do.” She grabbed her hand around the mug of fruit juice and began to drink. Then the server came with more dumplings than before and well, gave them to her and Miiya.

“Feel free to ask questions. I’m all ears. Sick of other dragon people, anyway. They just piss me off.” She spoke with such toxicity. She didn’t like them, not one bit.

Irihi SixSense

 

[SixSense]

Caelum Valentin

Titles: Mundane Human, Son of Jupiter

Mentions: Irihi Cutiefly
​

Caelum would chuckle at Miiya's cunning reply, his white cloak swaying as he bellowed. The man would hold his hand up as though he was waving a white flag. "Yes that is very true, I seem to be lacking the essential parts. Still, in one way or another, we are connected as fellow humans." Her playful attitude was quite refreshing, managing to be so upbeat at this altitude and temperature was a feat in itself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms.Miiya. Jupiter is the diety I dedicate my life to, he is the god of the sky. As for where he is leading me, wherever he wishes. He simply provides me signs and tasks he needs accomplished and I do his bidding" Caleum smiled in earnest. People tended to be off put by his devotion however this didn't sway him not one bit. Jupiter provided him with a second chance, sparing his life and his siblings. Following him whole heartedly was how Caelum showed hi appreciation.

”Nice to meet you StormBreaker. Your name is very lovely." He smiled, he had heard the Avain refer to her as EssBee. It was safe to assume that this was a nickname for the draconian, a pretty cute one at that. "A vigilante from the tribe nearby, I take it that you are against the way they run things. This might just confirm that our fates are weaved together." he would eye Miiya with a sly grin, remembering her comment from earlier. “Also, Should I assume the nickname Fortune cookie means that you approve of my presence Ms.Miyaa?” He added

"You are indeed correct. In fact, I didn't expect to see any Aerials here at all but it seems that you two are well acquainted. I am pleased to see such kinship." They were indeed very different but still human at the end of the day. As long as they all could get along, Caelum saw it as a win.

”As for why I am here, news of a violent draconian village in the Paizu mountains reached even the Eastern Empire. They say there are humans who've been killing anyone and everyone who comes near. I wished to come down here myself and see if I could perhaps even convince them of the error in their ways." At the offer of the seat, Caleum would nod his head, he would grab his large mace and lean its handle against the table before grabbing a seat. "Thank you for your hospitality Stormbreaker."

How she spoke about her people made him furrow his brows. ”Im sorry to hear that your people erected such strong emotions. I'd imagine cutting ties with your kin had to be very tough." The man would remove this greaves and place them in his lap delicately. Caleum would then grab ahold of the wine and pour himself a glass before swishing the wine around and holding it up to his nose. taking in its fruity fragrance before taking a sip.

”You use the term ‘hate’ without caution, does it extend to every living being with dragon blood coursing through their veins, or just your old village.” Caelum would place his glass down and grab a hold of a spoon. Taking a bite out of the piping hot stew.

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

Mentions: M Metty SixSense

“And that’s why I love ya, Essbee.” Miiya said. Her ability to speak while simultaneously slurping up noodles was something of a minor miracle. “Even if yew did pop out yer momma with the full-on knowledge of some other bizarr-o world.” This was a comfortable conversational path the pair had often tread, and Miiya was starting to wrap her head around some of the ideas of the place from which SB had been isekaied. Sometimes, the birdgirl thought, she might try to put some of Essbee’s fanciful tales of flying machines, and pictures that could be sent through the air on invisible waves, into practice. She’d enjoyed working on much more humble tech in Vivian’s shop before… everything. Maybe that was her place in this world; a tinker.

Miiya’s smile became more genuine as Caelum reacted good-naturedly to her ribbing. She was starting to think she might like get along with this guy. So far, he seemed to have reasonably thick skin and be a man who said what he meant and lived his life without apology. Kinda like Stormy. Miiya thought, as the mundane and draconic humans conversed.

Sometimes a bit too little apology, Miiya thought, wryly, as Essbee again referred to her as a daughter. Yes, Miiya liked, looked up to, and felt safe around SB, but Miiya only had one Ma. As harshly as Sen had treated her daughter, Miiya was fiercely loyal to her mother, so Stormbreaker’s words made her a little uncomfortable. However, it was only ever in the presence of others that Essbee would refer to Miiya this way, and Miiya always figured it was better to bite back any objections she had, rather than argue the point in front of strangers.

Besides, I do me. Essbee does her. Miiya thought to herself. The Aerial woman wasn’t going to tell her friend how to feel about their relationship, any more than she would tell Stormbreaker not to be such a crybaby. It was kinda endearing (and also a big relief) when her friend wept over the bad guys she killed, like those unfortunate bandits. Yes, Stormbreaker had a monster lurking inside her, but--Miiya was relieved to see that--it hadn’t devoured her humanity.

Returning to present company from her musings, Miiya’s smile grew broader when Caelum took up the mantle of “fortune cookie”. If the acolyte was up for it, she was certainly game to see if the nickname would stick. “I dunno, Cook; jury’s still out. Hopefully Jupiter will send you signs to task yew with buyin’ us lunch.” Miiya laughed. “That might win me over.” She thought about correcting Caelum and giving him her family name, but decided she didn’t mind being referred to as “Ms. Miiya”, for now.

Miiya noted the armored man’s odd--and kinda awkward--turns of phrase. “Erected” “lacking parts” is common not this guy’s mother tongue? A little fang appeared in the birdgirl’s grin. “So, yer just an ordinary human adventurer-cleric, huh?” she summarized what Caelum had revealed so far. “...or are yew ‘lacking’ any other ‘essential parts’ that we oughta know about?” Miiya asked, a mischievous note creeping into her tone. She almost--almost--went so far as to suggest she investigate, but that was a little too flirty for Miiya to say aloud. Just thinking it brought a little flush to her cheeks. Feeling the heat climbing her neck, Miiya hoped Caelum wouldn’t notice. She’d been aviating a lot in the strong mountain sunlight, and her complexion was pretty dark at the moment, so she figured she was probably safe.

Wonder if he’d like to get more ‘connected as humans?’ Sush, she scolded herself, internally, and stayed silent as Stormbreaker invited Caelum to sit with them. Miiya already knew the answers to the questions he was posing to SB, so she subsided a little and set to her meal while the two conversed. If anyone was keeping track, they would note that the birdgirl ate like her nick-namesake; consuming a prodigious amount of food for her diminutive size, and showing no sign of slowing down.

Miiya had been aviating frequently, which took even more energy in the rarified cold mountain air, than it did closer to sea-level. A few hours flying used thousands of calories, and the woman’s Aerial physiology was adapted to enormous meals that she could metabolize immediately or convert into the stored energy she had burned off during aerial exertion. Ever since she had fledged and started aviating regularly, Miiya had been in excellent shape, but this long trek through the cold mountains had put her close to peak fitness. It also left her famished and feeling the constant urge to pack food in and add a little padding to her modest curves.