Maea
Beware the darkness of dragons,
Beware the stalker of dreams,
Beware the stalker of dreams,
Visions played in the rippling air. An oasis blue with the promise of water, and silhouettes walking away, slow enough that they seemed reachable with a bit of effort. A merciless sun baked the earth until it cracked and crumbled and even the occasional gust of wind offered no relief.
Sprawled out on that sizzling pan, the dragon hadn't moved for some time now. Not dead, because its ink black sides still rose and fell in a steady rhythm; nor was it asleep. Not quite. Through a crack in heavy lidded eyes it watched the horizon, transfixed by the mirages and whatever mental imagery that flicked on repeat across its inner vision. Relaxing into the oppressive heat like one attempting to dissolve, only the nacreous eyes shifted occasionally, responding to even the slightest movement. The widespread wings offered a rare bit of shade; a lizard had curled up beneath the extended membrane on one side, and a bird she didn't know the name of was inching closer on the other. Scurrying, then freezing, then scurrying closer again when the big, hulking, terrifying beast didn't deign to take offense. Once it reached her shadow, not even a slow, heavy sigh was enough to startle it into flight; dust stirred up in a miniature sandstorm, slitted nostrils widened to release a sulphurous exhale crackling with embers, then settled again.
There was nothing here to burn. Only sun-bleached bone and arid soil, and waking dreams dancing on errant winds. The sun would set at some point and the visions would disappear, but for now... yes, they were there. Seemingly more real than she had ever been.
Sprawled out on that sizzling pan, the dragon hadn't moved for some time now. Not dead, because its ink black sides still rose and fell in a steady rhythm; nor was it asleep. Not quite. Through a crack in heavy lidded eyes it watched the horizon, transfixed by the mirages and whatever mental imagery that flicked on repeat across its inner vision. Relaxing into the oppressive heat like one attempting to dissolve, only the nacreous eyes shifted occasionally, responding to even the slightest movement. The widespread wings offered a rare bit of shade; a lizard had curled up beneath the extended membrane on one side, and a bird she didn't know the name of was inching closer on the other. Scurrying, then freezing, then scurrying closer again when the big, hulking, terrifying beast didn't deign to take offense. Once it reached her shadow, not even a slow, heavy sigh was enough to startle it into flight; dust stirred up in a miniature sandstorm, slitted nostrils widened to release a sulphurous exhale crackling with embers, then settled again.
There was nothing here to burn. Only sun-bleached bone and arid soil, and waking dreams dancing on errant winds. The sun would set at some point and the visions would disappear, but for now... yes, they were there. Seemingly more real than she had ever been.
Beware the talons of power and fire,
Beware one who is not what she seems.
Beware one who is not what she seems.
