Charon hadn't had a purpose since he'd been born. His family had departed, first Carja, then Bone and Svartis, then Dread. His whole schtick was to protect his family, but how could he do that without one at all?

He had no purpose, and Charon had to have a purpose, lest he go mad.

So here he was in Canis, originally looking for the Collector, but having grown too lethargic to even call out his name. His wings, useless, dragged on the ground, his legs barely dragging him forward as his tail sluggishly slithered behind him. Icy blue eyes were dull, trained on the ground.

With no purpose, who was he?

He didn't even know the first place to look for his family, except for Carja, who'd at least told him where she'd be if he needed her. And he did need her. At least Carja had visited sometimes. He wanted her back. He wanted his family back. But alas, he wasn't fully grown, and he couldn't fly.

Finally he managed to find a rock and curled up on it, grumbling a bit. He'd yet to find a cave he was truly comfortable in, for he was meant for cold and none of these caves were truly cold. But soon, maybe, if they had the energy to keep searching.

@Tahi-shei

Tahi-shei had been on his way out of Canis when he'd noticed the bored-looking child dragging himself along. It immediately drew his concern -- had the Collector claimed another victim? Tahi-shei hoped not. The slimy bastard had gotten enough of his fill of misery with the summation of Tahi-shei's bargain.

He cleared his throat as he drew closer to the dragon, head slightly inclined. "Hello. Are you alright?" Always kindly, this one. But he wasn't sure what was the matter, and concern pulsed through him.


@charon

Charon's head shot up and he faced the deer, brows furrowing. He pushed himself up into a more comfortable position, coiling his tail around himself like a snake. He was 16 feet long, now, too heavy to fly. He could be fast if he wanted, but he didn't want to be.

"... Maybe,", they said, "My family's all gone. The family I swore to protect. One to Cetus, one to Leo, the others to Ursa. Only because Carja told me where they'd gone."

He sighed and turned away, "Why do you care? I'm just some stranger..."

Normally he'd snap, maybe even growl, but he was too tired to care.

@Tahi-shei

He raised his chin slightly. He knew of Carja -- and of Ursa, and of Carja's lost family. "I can give you your family back," he said immediately, and then paused. "Well, maybe. It depends on how long they've been infected, I think." Tahi-shei offered a guilty sort of shrug. "Your family -- they are Bone and Svartis, yes? The ones who were taken in the Raid? They went to Ursa -- they have been infected by a fungus called Mother, and I am gathering an army to help destroy that fungus on behalf of Master Vargas. We may be able to cleanse them -- at the very least, we can make sure that nobody else falls to Mother's claws."

Tahi-shei hummed and looked Charon over. "I wouldn't normally offer to children," he admitted, "but this is something that seems to be important to you. I'll be helping to teach those who are interested new magic in Orion, to help protect them -- fungal magic to cleanse and to sense the infection."


@charon

Charon blinked slowly. He wasn't smart, not one bit, so it took a moment to process things.

"They are... what do you mean infected?", he asked, only for his question to be answered.

"WHAT?!", he roared, tail whipping out behind him, "This Mother- she took my family?! SHE TORE MY FAMILY APART!!"

Charon was enraged, furious, absolutely inconsolable, "I'm coming! I don't care if I'm infected, if I can help them, if I can- If I can help them be cleansed then I will help!"

He stomped forward and snorted, "I will fight anything to get them back, I will die for them!"

And he would.

@Tahi-shei

Tahi-shei grinned. "Well then, welcome to the war effort. We will be meeting in Orion in a few weeks's time -- I will train those who wish to be trained in magic, and I will test those who wish to be tested. Then, you will be delivered to Master Vargas -- he is the orchestrator of this. Meet me in Orion when the time comes. Work on yourself until then, and spread the word, if you feel you can. Tell those who wish to become involved to seek me out -- I am Tahi-shei Deimos. Meet me there."

He dipped his head to Charon, and with a last glance at the strange creature and his long body, he turned away. He'd let the child stew on that -- his spirit was big enough, at least for now.

/exit tahi-shei
@charon for visibility

Charon snorted and nodded, "I will see you there, Tahi-shei Deimos. I am Charon Asimonason."

He shook his head out and snorted again, stamping his feet and flaring his wings. He sped off across Canis, off to find lessers or Gembound to fight. He needed his wits and talons sharp, or else he'd be no use to his beloved family. He had to help them.

He'd have the requisites needed to fight. He would! He would travel the caves to increase his endurance, he would fight and practice and win! He wouldn't be some useless fighter!!

@Tahi-shei for vis
Exit