ORIGIN - DRIFTING

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Anthem's many eyes widened.

He had never known of a castle, before. He had not even known the word. But now, as he heard it, it trickled knowledge into his mind: a vast bastion, a stone stronghold not of natural rock but bricks, carved and placed with purpose. A keep, in which to keep people and great treasures.

His humming song grew astonished, amazed.

"I do! -Wish to hear of this," he hastened to assure Fulgur.

The image seemed so incongruous with the gentle sparkle of light all around him, the soft sea spray and the call of seabirds. A castle-! Full of Gembounds! "-Oh, but... I do not know if my own stories will be as good. Perhaps I can make a new one," he mused, speaking slowly. "But... if you would. I would hear your story of this--castle. Please."

He tried to summon forth a little air to buoy them both, but nothing came of it--ahh, well. They could both float well enough without, for now.

@Fulgur

He nods back to Anthem, saying, "Then that is what I'll tell you about."

With his tail, Fulgur gestures off into the distance. "The palace is in another room. I believe they call it Cepheus. From here, it lies on the other side of the cave covered in snow," he explains. He never liked traversing Ursa, for it was way too cold... but it was the only way to get to there.

"The halls are make of smooth white stone, polished to a shine. Paintings line them, made by various artists. I actually have helped the current painter there some," he says, thinking back to Imp. "He's loud, but honest, and a talented artist. I occasionally pose for pieces or fetch him supplies."

Then he gestures to the pouch looped around his wings and shoulders. "There's also the Tailor, who makes things out of cloth and beads. They're always willing to make something for you, like my bag, if you help them procure the materials for it and their other projects. And they are very good at what they do."

@Anthem

The story held him rapt, short as it was. Yet one aspect, one he'd never considered nor expected, seized him far more strongly than the rest.

It was purpose. A 'painter.' A Gembound who paints, he mused: an assumption, but of course a correct one. And a Tailor. He gauged their purpose by Fulgur's own description: someone who worked cloth into usable things. Even 'cloth' he had to guess at, but the entire concept was alien to him.

Anthem had, his entire life, drifted. He had gone from place to place, content and without hurry or indeed, any purpose whatsoever. To create? To create something other than song, to dedicate oneself to a craft-

...it was fascinating.

"I am a Singer," he decided softly. Yes; he would dedicate himself to improving his song, to creating music that would bring joy to any who might hear it. But of his revelations, he said nothing, instead slowly tipping to one side, then rolling wholly over, humming thoughtfully as he went.

"There are those in the Palace with purpose?" he asked, then. "Does the palace give them purpose?" Several red eyes flicked Fulgur's way, gently curious. "Do you have purpose?" he asked.

Was Fulgur a painter? A Tailor? Or a Singer? Or was he something else, entirely?

@Fulgur

Ironically, Fulgur would also fit Anthem's description of 'drifter.' He only found the Palace in the first time by simply happening across it. He still didn't have a den or home himself, simply sleeping where he could curl up in reasonable safety.

"Singing is something you do very well," he compliments, noticing how quiet Anthem was. Maybe the statement would help his confidence.

Fulgur slowly follows the whale as he rolls away, wingtips hitting the water and splashing small amounts of spray. "I'm not sure. Maybe they always wanted to do what they do, but the Palace gives them a good place to do it? A safe place to make art," he ponders. Even so, Anthem's pointed question makes him pause. "...I think, I am a storyteller. And a protector."

@Anthem

He sang well. Ahh, but if a glowing whale could blush-... As it was, Anthem briefly, almost shyly, tilted away. "Thank you," was all he answered to that.

He drifted onward, his mind held rapt by Fulgur's words. When he spoke, at length, it was with a ponderous slowness born of fascination.

"...A safe place to create," he hummed, the sound reverberating all around him. The idea--the very concept--of such a place enthralled him. A place dedicated to creation? To nurturing such wonderous magic (such as it was) in Gembounds? "I should like to visit it," he said at last, flipping on his back again and idly curling down towards the frothing surf. Red eyes again sought out his new companion. "Should I tell you a story, now..?" he asked, with a sort of gentle innocence. And then, gently hopeful: "...Or is there more story... of the Palace?"

@Fulgur

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