Video: L . L

[asscan]

[It's a couple of days before the mission will take precedence, and Laedo has finally recovered from his embarrassing childhood-throwback. The tone around the castle has been sombre, embarrassed... and he's learned a few things in his months trying to fit in among humans.

One of those things he's learned is that bipeds motherfucking love a dragonback ride... and given he needs to pack so little, the idea strikes him to offer, if only to fill his days and cheer those up who have never had their flat feet leave the ground.

So here he is, reclining in the sunny courtyard, scudding clouds chugging along the fragment of sky above and behind him as he peers into his jewel, and the network at large.]

Who among you would like to touch the sky? I do not offer often, but I am willing to trade the pleasure for later favours... providing you can contain yourselves not to dig in heels or pull at hair.

[Still, his tone is less arch than it has been in the past. He's been working hard to gain perspective. He doesn't want to start this next mission on the wrong foot.]

Comments

video; un: Darc

[hiddenlights]

You're offering rides.

[Said very flatly, clearly incredulous.]

Re: video; un: Darc

[asscan]

[Ah, and so he has a face to put to the voice. Laedo notes the odd ram-horns, and he almost allows old prejudices take to the forefront--there are many a zenitan caetran back home that sport similar horns, and he's had a problem with bloodlust against the species in the past... however, Darc is clearly not of his world. All of the hackles that had come up over video for a moment smooth, but with a force of will.

Laedo affects a lazy smile, ears cocked one back, one loosely forward.]

If I had any dignity, it was worn down smooth as a river stone by the incessant squalling of the alien child I was meant to rear, and just as she was a constant presence on my back, so is the knowledge that we will be thrust into danger and intrigue as the sun rises and falls, but perhaps once or twice more.

...Or do you look at me so because you yearn for... what was it, those fully Deimos who it seemed called the sky their haven?

[video] @SERENE

[sereneflame]

[Serene's not back to her usual sparkling self just yet but his offer has won a smile]

I have dreamed of touching the sky again ever since we landed that last time. May I take you up on that offer? You know that I am good for trade.

[asscan]

((If our other thread winds up following the plans we made we can handwave this as alternate CR? Mostly because if the other plans go through, Laedo would still be mortified enough to do something like, ">_>; oh no my connection's on the fritzzzz shshshsdfhfhsdhsfhsdfhsdfsh" *throws his necklace in the bushes*))

[The askan quirks a hint of a grin at Serene's apparent progress.]

I can't imagine that it will be as interesting as mapping an alien planet, but at the same time the temperate chill above the castle means you will not have to worry about freezing your small nose off. Whenever you are ready, I will be waiting.

[evantuality]

Evan has had an odd time of things, coming back from his stint as his older self. He remembers none of it beyond the bite, beyond the disorientation and then the sudden jolt. Coming back to himself had meant coming back to his room, tidy, his friends, similarly disoriented, and his desk... with a note left on it, full of things fascinating, off-putting, sometimes unbelievable.

Two days later he's still digesting that note, while intermittently packing for their next mission. The network interruption is more than welcome, although he's been listening rather than saying much on the network. Legitimate challenges and issues have felt beyond him, but this...

He goes to respond, leaning over to where his network jewellery sits. "I admit, that sounds nice, outside of hurricane conditions."

[asscan]

"It's nice the first time you fly it, if not the fiftieth," Laedo replies, happy to see a familiar face. He cants his head. "I'm not surprised to see you indoors. You may want to brush up on your tan before we return to another dusty trap, strange as the desert we passed through or not."

audio; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

Offerin' a chance to take a flight, huh?

Sounds interestin'. Be happy to offer a trade.

[asscan]

[A newer voice, or at least one that Laedo has not yet heard. He casts both long ears forward, pondering the familiarity of the tone. He's heard another with the same drawl, wonders if perhaps the two share a world...

But that is besides the point. He's attempting to forge connections now, and a trade is worth the offer, especially so freely given.]

What have you to trade, sir? Time? A story, perhaps? What is your name?

video; un: cuttlefishCuller

[fintastic]

Me! I want to!

[ Wait... ]

What's the catch? What kind of favors?

[asscan]

[Another grey creature. Laedo hasn't seen one of these since the hazy days of Nalawi, and for a moment he squints, as though to remind himself that this one is not the same as the other. No unshakeable grin, and far less unsettling horns--the previous had the curling horns of a caetran, a species for whom he possessed a deep hatred... but now he felt a little awkward, knowing better the diverse backgrounds of those who came to settle with Audentes for a time.

He casts both ears forward, hoping to make a better impression.]

Our upcoming mission has the potential to come to violence. Unlike the squidge children we were sent to guard in our previous detail, there looks to be real conflict from a number of avenues... I would like to reserve a favour for that time, if necessary... and if it becomes necessary that you or anyone else should need to be evacuated, we will know one another better to make that seamless. Does that make sense?

[Video | un: tsukuyo]

[sekimorinashi]

[ For a long time, Tsukuyo knew nothing but darkness and a steel sky. In fact, before Gintoki came, she can't really remember a time when the sun shone on her face and the light around her was nothing than that of street lights. They have freedom now. She knows what the sun feels like. And everything considering, she can fly on her own, but that's closer to falling.

Wonder what it's like to be in the sky, rather than just below it. ]

That's very kind of ya. I'd like to take ya up on that offer.

[asscan]

The police woman, [Laedo recalls aloud. It's been several weeks, but he has nothing against Tsukuyo, and he can see the value in getting more familiar with her. In a last edge of space settlement, banding together with other lawfuls might prove useful. He grins in his peculiar way, ears quirking and cheeks lifting, even if he doesn't show his large, sharp teeth.]

Meet me in the courtyard. Bring something warm, if you have it. If not I can provide a bubble of calm, but that may not be possible if we repeat the maneuver on a mission. I'd rather you had the full experience.

video | un: lavellan (couldn't help myself sorry Laedo)

[strikingtwice]

[Meallan's rather glad to be out of whatever had been affecting them all as well, and seems rather forcefully cheerful in retaliation to it all. That and the fact Laedo's offered a rather tempting target make it too much to resist.]

If you wanted pleasurable favours, Laedo, I'm fairly certain you'd only have to ask certain people...

[asscan]

[Laedo's stare is flat. Don't do this to him, man, not after he's been worried about Meallan's state following a disturbing conversation with the human he'd inadvertently attacked.

The askan clears his throat audibly, great neck doing the work of ten men to try to unsully the air between them.]

Meallan, I see you're doing well. The same as ever, even. How are you... would you like to speak in person? Privately, perhaps?

video | un: chihiro

[onethousen]

[ Chihiro has to consider the offer, only figuring out how to finally do the video feed on her jewelry once she's decided on what might be a reasonable way to speak with the dragon who'd helped her out when she'd been a fresh face here. They're coming up on time to leave out on that mission... meaning whole new frightening things to face and handle.

So she has to wonder why he's making such a kind offer, in exchange for later favours. THe memories she's been regaining show that dragons are kind (in her experience), perhaps to the point of being too kind; but that favours are things amoungst friends that can be trusted, and contracts are things to be wary of from the start. ]

Thank you for before, Laedo Ledo-san.

[ She bows to the image. ]

Flying is really amazing. Um, but I don't need that to want to help you out in the future. Please just let me know when there's a favour I can give you in turn.

>:T She's cute, it's the worst!

[asscan]

Small girl! [He's glad to see her safe, for he'd lost track of her in the chaos of the infestation that had wormed its way through ALISTAIR.] Chihiro, yes?

[He fails to see what a human child can offer in terms of protection or teamwork, at least at first. Thinking for a moment, however, an idea or two comes to mind.]

If I need to reach something small, or to speak softly, I will come to you first. You were very patient during our... discussion. For that I feel as though I owe you... an apology, perhaps. I was not at my best, when we returned to the castle. I may have been curt.

video; un: G.SLQHV

[twinpeak]

—Wait. For real? You'd let us do that?

[ Someone's eager. ]

[asscan]

[This is exactly why Laedo did not spend fifteen minutes stiffly blathering on about the merits of teamwork and practicing flight-bound drills. The look on Dipper's face is worth it.]

I am making an exception to a rule, but yes. Come to the courtyard in warm clothing, and... [now that he thinks about it, he adds hastily] if you are prone to vertigo, let me know ahead of time.

audio | un: Sasaki

[ex_adept136]

That's a generous offer [Even bearing the word 'trade' in mind, as Haise doesn't neglect it] but what inspired it?

If you don't mind my asking, that is.

[Not that Haise intends to go for it himself, surely there are plenty of takers as it stands, but he's curious]

[asscan]

[Laedo recognizes Haise' voice immediately, and he's a little disappointed that the man turns him down.] I am trying to put a better foot forward before this mission, [he answers plainly] I have not been... well received in the past, and I think back to the clashes I created in Nalawi. I still find myself growing incensed at the discord between us, at the finality I felt over the tasks we were required to do.

...If we are forced to do something terrible to this mining colony to right the timeline, I want to know the faces of those who are willing to go to those lengths to accomplish it, and I want to know that we can work together, when things get... [he thinks of their very first meeting, trapped in a labyrinth with no apparent way out.] When things get hairy.

You and I work together flawlessly, however, I have no doubt that you would excel in the saddle. Or are you afraid of heights?

( audio ) ID: Arima

[prodigism]

[ First big ass alien bugs and now a talking dragon. He's totally seen everything now. Arima for the most part will reply with his usual stoic tone of voice. ]

Dragons are worshiped and seen as gods to some back in my world. To see one offering up rides to people is a bit...interesting.

[ Strange too but he's not going to say that to a dragon. Still Arima isn't sure if he should accept or not. ] What favors are you asking for in return?

(Oh hey terror-dad; Laedo's heard all about you.....)

[asscan]

'Dragons' come in many flavours. I am not one, yet humans in my world bow before my kind in all our care and grace, for we provide them safety and civility and guide them in the ways of Aska. This is... this is something of an experiment. I have learned much since arriving here, and I wish not to continue putting my fellow teammates up in arms.

If I am to be of use to ALISTAIR I can not continue to grind against the gears of my fellows; if so many of you are human, or human enough, to the one of me, should I not attempt to extend a wing in friendship?

[The Laedo of nine months ago would have balked at the very thought, but now... well, he still sounds stiff and a little crusty about it, but he's trying very hard.]

I ask for a potential favour on our next mission, depending on if it becomes necessary. Should I need to work in haste with you, or anyone else--say for an evacuation, for a rescue, for working together against these strange creatures--we should be able to do so fluidly. Therefore, I offer a ride for pleasantness sake not entirely out of philanthropic generosity, but for testing new bonds in a staid environment.

[Then, finding somewhere below the thick crust of officiousness, he chuffs a laugh.] If someone is likely to roll right off my back I would rather know it now and not while in the center of a conflict.

audio; un: no2

[ryusoken]

[Never mind the ride to the sky. Look at this huge yellow reptilian creature. You can hear this radio silence for a good 10 minutes.... out of shock, surprise and possibly even denial at first. Holy shit though, he's never encountered something he would never thought to see, or even exist outside of stories and legends in his world.]

Are... are you....a dragon? [He finally speaks after gawking at the video feed of Laedo.... what's listening to anything else you just said.]

[asscan]

[He's been rather engaged with other responses flooding through his jewel both good and bad, and so he misses the radio silence, but Laedo most surely does not miss this particular question. Oh, how he rues that word. 'Dragon'. It's a derogatory slur cast by humans at the backs and tail-ends of those who mean them ever benevolent good bit of will, and it's taken Laedo months of deprogramming here not to immediately leap down the throat (something considerably more terrifying coming from a fourteen-foot carnivore than a regular human) of those who mis-spoke to him such.

So it is that Sabo sees the very vaguely feline-visage of Laedo focus both long, velvety ears on his jewel, and then pin them flat back against his skull. He doesn't bare his fangs, but only by dint of will. He does close his eyes, one marred and one not, similar to the aghast man, and after a moment, arch his long, golden neck so that he can place his muzzle between both hands.]

Technically, by inter-galactic standards, I would suppose that term is adequate, but I can assure you, sir, that I do not appreciate that name any more than I can imagine you would enjoy being called an ape.

video; un: baaaan

[perma_banned]

[All Ban offered here was a smile.

Laedo was into some weird shit, apparently.]

[asscan]

Why is it that you sleep when you might be needed and crop up when you are not? Go away.