[PQ] as the sun does

Lena

let me wander
with the ones

Lena didn’t expect one of her first missions of being a part of the Dragoons to be a search and rescue exposition, but here she was all the same.

The soldier’s panic had been a nerve-racking endeavor all on its own, and understandable, given everything that had occurred. Gentle, calm, and composed, she’d gotten most of what she could out of the circumstances and the terror from the fellow Stormbreaker, until she rounded up her friends, and figured they could assist with their shifts as well.

Glancing toward Ellyra and Sohalia, she went about explaining through the bond, having already altered her stance into her fox form. From what I understand, they were training nearby, gesturing towards New Haven, familiar due to her efforts in aiding in construction of the town. Something spooked the dragon, and they haven’t seen it since. Newly bonded, it seems, and she sniffed the air, trying to keep herself out of the apprehension.

Trying to carry on while the man paced nearby, she continued with directions. We have a few of their items. I thought maybe we could sniff things out and see if we can pick up a trail? There was an assorted amount of clearly, newly furnished pieces for the companion – including a bed, toys already half-mauled and chewed, and a makeshift bow clearly once tied around the dragon’s neck.

--

1. Lena
2. Ellyra
3. Sohalia

This is a PQ/search-and-rescue mission to find a Dragoon’s missing dragon! Come in a shift, and pick one of the following items to help you find a scent trail!

- Cute little bed
- Mauled chew toys
- Half-broken bowtie

who are tangled in stars
and tethered to promise

Ellyra

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types

Having mostly shifted herself from Stormbreak to King's End, when Lena reached out and asked for assistance in the land, she immediately accepted. She was as happy as anyone had ever seen her when not only did Lena come, but so did Soh. Relief and questions flooded her and she was thankful that the caretaker did not press them too quickly onward, letting the two lifelong friends gush for a moment before heading to their mission. 

When the caretaker dragoon shifted down into her fox form, Ellyra followed suit. Though, she was much larger. Despite her size, the lioness walked next to the trotting fox on silent paws. Young, then? The lioness half-asked, half-stated, about the dragon. An older dragon, even newly bonded, would have more sense she assumed. Listening carefully as Lena went on, Ellyra eventually stopped as she soaked in the plan.

Reaching down, the lioness scented at the Half-broken bowtie.

---

Ellyra sniffs the bowtie!

Shedding skin you show your beauty scars
Don't forget me or who you are

Sohalia

I don't even know myself at all
I thought I would be happy by now

It was strange for Soh to be in this position. Of course, she'd have been more than happy to help Lena as a friend, but to help her as a Dragoon... well, let's just say that the former Heart had some complicated feelings on the arrangement. None of those feelings would interfere with assisting the Caretaker, but they were there for her to unpack later all the same.

She was just as excited to see Ellyra, and the pair greeted each other excitedly, catching up for a moment before they began their mission, promising to get together again soon.

Do we have any idea what sent the dragon running? Soh asked as she sniffed at the cute little bed. We might want to keep an eye out for danger while we search. Which, honestly, probably went without saying, but here we are.

---

Soh sniffs the cute little bed.

The more I try to push it, I realize
Gotta let go of control

Lena

let me wander
with the ones

Her friends’ questions were good ones, and it gave Lena pause, hoping she’d gained enough insight on their incoming ventures, and extended it outwards to make the entire process a little easier for all of them. Yes, she nodded towards Ellyra as they began to snag on aromas and scents from the different proportions and items, her own nose hastening along the toys. Which might’ve explained why things had gone awry – perhaps it’d been too much for both bonded constituents. He didn’t say, the Caretaker glanced towards the dragoon again, who was now pacing a fence line and calling out to the dragon again. But that is a good thought too. The circumstances might’ve been completely different from what they were all predicting.

As it was, neither Ellyra nor Lena would be able to catch a trail, but Sohalia, with her efforts along the makeshift nest, would be able to discern something winding, haphazardly, towards some newly built and furnished sheds.

They’d be able to follow swiftly and quickly, and if they made some sort of odd arrangement of animals, then so be it.

The wooden framework didn’t look as though it would harbor anything untoward or animal-like, but the trail led right there. Let’s see if we can find any way to go in? Or anything else? Clues and discoveries that might indicate just where the poor thing had gone.

--

Sohalia has found the scent trail to a shed! Investigate around the area (check windows, frame, etc.) to see if you can spot anything! No post order!

who are tangled in stars
and tethered to promise

Sohalia

I don't even know myself at all
I thought I would be happy by now

They didn't know what had spooked the dragon, but at least they would be careful, and that was all that Sohalia could ask as she began to investigate the cute little bed. Fortunately, she was able to pick up something of a scent trail and followed it, leading their little group to a shed not too far from where they'd begun. They were new, and she nearly lost the scent of what she assumed to be the dragon among the sawn wood smells that surrounded the structures, but the trio managed to identify that the scent led to one in particular.

With Lena's instructions ringing in her mind, Soh began to investigate the shed, prowling around it to take a look at any doors. If there were any propped open, perhaps the dragon had made its way inside. And if not... well, perhaps the others would find another way in.

---

Soh looks for any doors and investigates!

The more I try to push it, I realize
Gotta let go of control

Ellyra

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types

Ellyra kept sniffing and trailing, but every lead and glimpse she had ended cold. Easily discouraged in her nature, Ellyra had to work hard to keep herself composed and focused in the shadows of her friends. Both of them seemed to be more determined and — dare she say — stubborn than her in this moment. Ellyra had her times, her moments where she wouldn’t move her feet and she planted herself hard to what she wanted, but when something didn’t come immediately to her it was sometimes hard for her to hold on to the desire to keep going.

Sohalia, though, was able to catch a trail and led them to the shed. It was almost immediately that her lions’ curiously piqued, and she trotted off along the trail. Mouth partially open to help her scent, Ellyra sniffed around the building. Going around back, she found a window. Tall enough on her back legs to hopefully see through it, she lifted herself up and braced against the shed with her massive paws, and peered through the window.

---

Ellyra peers through a window!

Shedding skin you show your beauty scars
Don't forget me or who you are

Lena

let me wander
with the ones

Tenacity, stubbornness, and perseverance prevailed through, and their investigation took swift turns and intriguing lines. The shed, though new, might’ve been built haphazardly and swiftly; for there were already signs that something had gotten in. Sohalia would be the first to discover dragon prints and another set of tracks close behind by the door…

And then Ellyra ’s peering through the window would indicate movement and motion, fur bristling and bundling…

Ultimately, Lena’s cursory movements towards the back of the wooden compartments found a hole, dug and carved and small enough for a dragon companion, and whatever might have followed, to go through. There’s an entrance over here she called, waiting for everyone to gather. Did you see anything else? And then from there, they’d have to decide on how to proceed.

--

Share what you’ve discovered! No post order!

who are tangled in stars
and tethered to promise

Ellyra

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types

Peering through the window seemed to be fruitful, and Ellyra was instantly thankful for her larger size compared to her two other attuned friends. Her eyes widened and an audible gasp rang out across the bond. Excitement prickled along her spine. 

Movement inside! Something furry. I can't quite tell what it is.... Ellyra relayed over the bond, tail flicking behind her as her feline curiosity continued to bubble and grow, voice trailing off as she tried to track the creature inside. The glass was not the best, cloudy and cheap, and her breathing against it did not help at all. Oh! Ellyra exclaimed, ears lifting as she shoved herself off the shed and headed towards the entrance that Lena pointed out.

---

Ellyra relays what she saw, then goes to see what Lena found.

Shedding skin you show your beauty scars
Don't forget me or who you are

Sohalia

I don't even know myself at all
I thought I would be happy by now

Tracks over here! Soh called. Dragon, and something else. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite determine what kind of animal had made the second set. After all, she wasn't much of a hunter, and her tracking skills were mediocre at best.

Ellyra indicated that there was movement inside, and Lena found an entrance dug through the back; Soh joined her friends to inspect it with interest. I'm not sure if Ellyra and I can fit, she said, cocking her head to the side as she considered. As a Tide Jaguar, she was almost as big as Ellyra's lioness form. Lena might be able to fit, though Soh wasn't about to suggest her friend go in alone. Do you think we could lure whatever it is out?

---

Soh joins Lena and Ellyra and suggests luring the animals out.

The more I try to push it, I realize
Gotta let go of control

Lena

let me wander
with the ones

Movement inside, furry proportions, and other tracks gave Lena pause – combined with their theories of the dragon being chased, had her mulling over the pragmatics. With Sohalia and Ellyra being far too large for the small hole, it was either going to be the Caretaker going on, or some other kind of strategy.

And from the sudden movements and sounds going on in the shed (a crashing, followed by bumps and something obviously falling), they didn’t have much time to lose.

I can try to compel the thing out? She suggested, wondering if she should simply go in too. I can go in too and see if I can open the door somehow? Or a window? No thumbs – but it’d allow them access once she figured it out.

--

Plan a course of action – and quick! No post order!

who are tangled in stars
and tethered to promise

Ellyra

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types

Ellyra gave a little snarling, grumbling growl of agreement. Soh would not fit, nor would she, in their large feline shifts. Her nostrils flared as she tried to take in more scents, ears rotating atop her head like satellites as the commotion inside heightened.

Try to compel! Ellyra’s thoughts burst over the bond. Being Caretaker of the Celestine was no joke. Rae’s and Frey’s creatures came in wide varieties and the lioness suspected that Lena’s compulsion over them was great — otherwise, there were creatures that had been under her care that easily and without hesitation could and would have killed her.

Despite her sweet nature, Lena had not lived this long of a life without being tough.

—

Ellyra says compel!

Shedding skin you show your beauty scars
Don't forget me or who you are

Sohalia

I don't even know myself at all
I thought I would be happy by now

As the trio debated, sounds came from inside the shed: a loud crash, which made Soh jump, followed by thumping noises and something obviously falling. They were taking too long to decide how to proceed, and the poor shed - and possibly the dragon or the furry creature within - was suffering for it. I agree, she said. You shouldn't go in alone when we don't know what's in there.

As they waited for Lena to work her magic and call whatever it was out, Soh took up a position a little ways away from the hole. Maybe we should try and trap whatever it is when it comes out, she suggested. If they made a little semi-circle, maybe they could use the shed to pin their quarry in place.

---

Soh says compel, and suggests trapping the creature!

The more I try to push it, I realize
Gotta let go of control

Lena

let me wander
with the ones

Somewhat surprised by her friends’ responses, perhaps because she was more than willing to commit sacrificial aims for the greater good, she nodded. All right. Let’s all move around the hole too. That way if something truly did come through, either predator or dragon, they’d be able to snatch and discern.

Giving them a moment to do so, the Caretaker compelled, semblances and sensations and commands flickering through Attuned measures in singular force. Before long, the crashing sounds turned into slinking and digging through dirt.

Revealing a small, terrified dragon, and the Dream Bird chasing it. It was no wonder why it had ran.

Grab the companion came through, presuming one of them could, while she immediately went to deter the brightly hued flier. Be careful with the bird, because unfortunately, it always carried the sentiments of potential nightmares.

--

Lena has lured the dragon and a Dream Bird out of the shed! Either grab the dragon or try to deter the bird with Lena! No post order!

Dream Bird (uncommon) - The dream bird is a small bird with 6 pairs of wings and is an aray of bright blues, yellows, reds, pinks and purples. It has a red beaks with sharp teeth and pure white eyes; truly a horror to behold. A dream bird typically builds its nest high up in a tree on the outskirts of a city where it can hide from the townsfolk but still mess with their dreams. If you can find a nest and leave out food for the bird living there, they might take a liking to you and give you nice dreams. Should you try and chase them away, you can expect nightmares.

who are tangled in stars
and tethered to promise

Sohalia

I don't even know myself at all
I thought I would be happy by now

The crashing sounds from within quieted as they all moved into place, replaced by the sound of dirt being clawed out of the way. The first to emerge was the little dragon, who looked quite young and terrified. It was followed by a dream bird, a monstrous creation of wings and teeth and color. Soh scrambled to recall all she could about the bird. If she remembered correctly, chasing it away might lead to nightmares, and she had quite enough of those without a dream bird's help, thanks ever so much.

So perhaps it was cowardly, but Soh jumped for the opportunity to help the dragon, attempting to leap between the two and herd the little dragon away from the dream bird without getting bitten or scratched for her efforts.

---

Soh tries to shepherd the dragon away.

The more I try to push it, I realize
Gotta let go of control