Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

They seem to be setting up for the night, lighting torches for the night shift to explore.

 

I walk to the head of the corps and request to be led to the skeleton with the crown.

 

They, of course, oblige.

The skeleton seems to be dishonorably mangled, crown not very fancy, but not bad for a group of people stuck in a canyon.

 

I check to see if any vital bones are missing.

 

Notably, the lower jaw, right leg, and about half of the ribs are absent, not including the fact that most of the remaining bones have been broken or crushed in some spiteful manner.

 

I think for a moment, then look around me for any nearby bones.

 

I just keep going, checking for anything interesting.

"Hey, uhh, Xelentia?"
Crystal pipes up, a bit soft.

 

A few more pieces of rib, an old hammer, and a bloodstain.

Xlentia pulls her head out of the ice, inhaling quickly and deeply.
"Whew... uhm... Yes, sweetheart?"

 

I attempt to re-attach the pieces of rib back to the skeleton.

 

"Why do you call me that?"
He asks, curious.

 

They don't belong to the same skeleton.

"One, you're nice. Two, why wouldn't a dragon love a sentient shiny?" She says, amused.

 

I look around a bit more for some bones that belong to the skeleton.

 

There don't seem to be any. The king's skeleton is as complete as it's going to get according to the report the corps gave you, and now, what you've seen in person.

 

"I mean, I wouldn't know, but I guess it does make sense. The only real experienced I've had with dragons is when I was taken by one."

 

"See? Dragons like shinies, and a sentient shiny to keep them company would be something to just about die for!"

 

"Doesn't that kinda... not make sense? Wouldn't you want to be alive to have company?"
Crystal asks, taking it literally.

 

"It's not a literal statement, sweetheart. It's more of an expression of how good something is." Xlentia sighs.

 

"Oh... oh yeah!"
Crystal remembers.
"Sorry. Sometimes I forget about that kinda stuff."

 

"It's okay. Dragons tend to forgive sentient shinies." Xlentia says, giggling.

 

"Do you know many... 'sentient shinies'?"
Crystal asks, a bit uncomfortable with the phrase.