[God Quest] On Fire Within

Danger gleams like sunshine

Excitement buzzed about him, barely restrained as he rushed through the Celestine. He'd almost run from the Skyport, having to resist the urge as people gave him annoyed glances. Yet Zavien didn't care about their looks. He was finally going to meet his dragon!!

In his eagerness, he'd almost forgotten to grab an offering for Frey, but luckily a bakery had caught his attention, flaunting beautiful fruit tarts that glissened with sugar and a variety of ripe citrus and berries. Zavien had grabbed one for himself and a handful for the herald, as well as a bundle of pretty yellow, orange, and red flowers (don't ask him what kind). As he skid to a stop in front of the altar, he beamed with energy. He had to take a second to breath, calming his hands as he arranged the items in what he would consider appealing (spoiler, it isn't, but he tries).

Removing the bag from his shoulders, he set the large bundle of cooked allogator meat off to the side as he wiggled into a kneeling position like a toddler on his birthday. Zavien took another deep breath, letting the moment fill him with anticipation while also letting the reverence find place in his heart. Frey had graciously given him this quest. He needed to show the proper respect.

Zavien closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Frey. I have completed the quest you set before me and I hope you find my actions satisfactory enough to bless me with your precense once more." Although he wanted to peek for any signs of the herald, he stilled his body and mind, trying to wait patiently even as his finger tapped against his knee.

---

Zavien is turning in his companion quest with Nature Frey for his dragon!

1. Complete a thread hunting and killing a creature of your choice, ensuring you harvest the meat.
What you got? Wood. - Allogator meat!

2. Complete a thread collecting gemstones anywhere in The Climb. The gemstones must have 'fiery' qualities (e.g. fire opals, carnelians, red jaspers, etc.)
stars and storms - Fiery gemstone collection with Lena

3. Complete a thread collecting sand from the Hak Etme desert.
[DROP] reimagined - Squirrel moment during a Drop

4. Make a campfire, incorporating the materials collected above, cooking the meat that has been harvested.
Cooking Hazard - Bonfire cooking the allogator meat, using the sand and stones

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.

Frey

Listen - appeal is in the eye of the beholder. And Frey is a fan of effort, no matter how the end product might look. (A lot of creatures might be deemed unsightly, after all, but they are exactly how nature intended, no?)

All of that is to say that when Zavien does eventually open his eyes, it will be to the golden-skinned deity quietly enjoying a fruit tart and twirling one of the flowers between their fingers whilst he's busy praying. "Apologies - I couldn't resist," they tell the young dragoon, sitting back with loosely crossed legs and tucking the flower behind their ear, smiling warmly.

"Welcome back," they trill. "I see you have done all that you needed to get your dragon. You'd better say hello to it in that case - I think it's been following you all the way from Hak Etme at this rate."

Bouncing their eyebrows over Zavien's shoulder, should the Accepted turn to look they might spot a golden glimmer of something in the tree branches overhead, eyeing the cooked allogator meat hungrily.

---

Zavien has completed his quest and has obtained a dragon companion! The companion has been added to his profile.

Danger gleams like sunshine

The wait felt like an eternity, silence being his only company as he tapped his fingers away. He thought at first that Frey might not have answered. Did he fail? Was the meat too dark? The stones too dull? The sand not... sandy enough? Just as the doubts and uncertainties began consuming through his mind, a rustle sounded from nearby. 

Zavien lifted his head to investigate, startled to see the deity already before him. "Oh! Uh, by all means. They're for you, after all." He wondered how long they'd been sitting there, watching him act a fool. The thought forced a blush to his cheeks, especially at the revelation that apparently he'd been followed. His head whipped around with such speed that his eyes had to scan before spotting it. 

A glimmering gold peeked from between the bright green leaves, scales shifting to catch the light. Zavien reminded himself to breath as overwhelming excitement coursed through his veins. Standing slowly, he took a knife to the meat, slicing off a strip before offering it with an open palm, hoping to entice it down from the branches. Although the movement paused as if the creature was considering him, it didn't take long for the baby dragon to dive down, it's wings catching the air at the last second to slow it's descent. 

His eyes watered as the majestic creature crept forward on stubby legs to sniff the allogator meat. With the closer proximity, Zavien noticed the way each scale shimmered like freshly shined armor. Even it's eyes glowed with a warm yellow of sunlight and happiness. It was about the size of a cat, wings draped around it like a satin dress. Two small horns protruded from it's head and a thin line of ridges formed down its back. 

He just sat in awe as the dragon tore into the meat, its sandpaper tongue scraping against his hand and a satisfied high-pitched rumble echoing in the shrine. Zavien was surprised to feel the enjoyment it was experiencing, another wave of emotion crashing over him at the momentous occasion. His eyes doted on the little beast, watching patiently as it ate it's fill before he reached out a cautious hand. It met his gaze, a small gleam in its golden eyes as it cocked its head to consider him. Zavien held his breath again, waiting until it finally reached it's head forward to let him caress the smooth scales. A single tear fell as a soft laugh escaped. "Well, buddy, I've been waiting a long time for you. My name's Zavien, and we're going to be the best of friends." The dragon cooed in agreement, nuzzling his hand. They spent some time like that, slowly warming to each other's presence and the bond that was forming. 

When they had finally familiarized themselves, Zavien stood, gathering the dragon in his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He gave Frey a wide, grateful smile, the water making his eyes shine a bright emerald. "Thank you. I will take good care of him. And I will make sure to visit you more often." And with that, he dipped his head and departed from the Celestine, thinking about how he was going to introduce his new companions to his best friends. 

[FIN]

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.