Thunder Dome the way in

For @Asterr!

Asterr, the young champion of a Dragon King, and Noctura, her towering subordinate, were seeking a view. Not just any old view, but a specific view of a specific clearing. They were seeking a place within Thunder Dome that Noctura could call his own. Asterr had mentioned a beautiful sunlit clearing in the centre of the forest, and   Noctura had spotted a ridge that overlooked it. They wanted to get up to the top of that ridge and determine its suitability as a home for the troubled warrior, and there too find the fabled vista.

But it would not be easy. There was surely a way to get up to that ridge, and not even Asterr — who knew the territory best of everyone who lived here — could say for sure how it could be done. Their plan was to attempt reaching it from the outside, at least initially. And so as the sun began to set, the dark pair moved out of the cavern and into the sharp breeze. She had expressed her genuine desire to join him in this, and such had been the sincerity of her voice and face, Noctura had believed her.

Shall we venture to the peak? he posed the question thoughtfully, wondering if that was what she had in mind or if a lower way in might be more likely.

Yay~!

It was pleasant to have had her company accepted, for she was curious of how the ridge might be reached, as well as interested in spending some more time with Noctura. So when they had set out once more, trailing along the path through the woods that they'd originally taken, she'd stuck near to his side. Even as they'd crossed through the cavern's entryway and were once more beneath the cloud-filled sky, she did not allow for herself to fall behind. He was larger, so of course his strides were longer, but such was something she made up for with her nimble steps and flowing movements. It also didn't hurt that she'd grown rather accustomed to the various types of pathways along the volcano, and could often pick out ones that would be easier on her smaller frame.

Asterr had found her gaze trailing up along the various peaks and then moving skyward, taking in the nighttime sights and searching for any signs of lightning. The clouds lacked their usual bursts of light, however, which she was rather glad for. Her attention was drawn back to the earth and the male who walked with her upon it, though, when he'd spoken. Thankfully, she'd not been so far gone as to miss the query, and was able to respond promptly. "Yes," came her simple answer, before her movements had slowed and her eyes began scanning the various ridges and paths atop where she knew the cavern to be. It would be difficult to figure out exactly which space held the ridge they sought access to beneath it, but she was confident that they would be able to complete the mission they'd set themselves out on.

"We will have to be careful," the dragoness warned, picking her pace back up as she turned them towards a small incline. From there they would begin walking along a ridge, slowly climbing higher until they were elevated enough to begin their search. "There are a number of openings in the rocks, few large enough for us to fall through, but just big enough so that we run the risk of our legs getting stuck." Which could, worst-case scenario, lead to broken bones or sprains, depending on how quick it happened and how they would react. She left Noctura to then take the lead, trusting that he might have a better chance at finding the space they needed to reach. After all, he had learned of the cavern even before she'd told him of it, making her believe in his ability to understand the land.

Noctura had never ventured up this way before. Being such a gargantuan wolf he was more attracted to the wider plateaus of the mountain and the grassy stretches beneath it. But that didn't mean the jagged ridges were too much of a problem for him — it just meant that Asterr's perches were Noctura's staircase. Where the nimble young female leapt with agility, Noctura moved as a slowmo colossus, huge paws moving from ridge to ridge.

It was interesting... this was a pack full of very large wolves, but the territory itself worked against them somewhat. With her agility and small size, Asterr could dart around and avoid them all if needs be. She had the upper hand and didn't need to boast it. That was true power indeed.

He listened to her words carefully and followed her lead, but took on board the fact that he should probably lead the way physically at this point simply because only he knew what size of gap he could fit through. It might take a little while, so a silence briefly fell as they moved slowly along the perilous edge of the mountain, their eyes sharp. Asterr... he said as they walked. I wonder if I could learn a bit more about you. I'd like to, if you're amenable. Perhaps something about your childhood, or how you first learned of the Dragon King.

There had been few times thus far in which she'd actually caught onto the disadvantage she'd put many of her members at, and all because she'd decided to settle atop that particular peak. Her ability to navigate it well, to practically dance from ridge to ridge, had appealed to her about as much as the Dragon King's presence had, though perhaps she should have taken into consideration the others. Frostrar alone, who'd joined her very early on, should have been enough to steer her attraction towards a more easily traversed territories, however she knew she could not change her mind now. A pact had been made with the volcano's spiritual inhabitant, and she would sooner die than go back on her word after it'd been given to a deity, of all people. Besides, she felt confident in her tribe members, certain they could each overcome any obstacles thrown their way.

When a silence had settled between them, Asterr had focused all of her attention on seeking out possible points of entry. There were few that had stood out so far, which she'd expected, and was soon left wondering just how high their chances of finding a suitable opening were. Before she could delve entirely into her own thoughts and calculations, the male had spoken, ending the period of silence between them. His questions were to be expected, for she'd shared with him previously her reasoning for deciding upon their location. No doubt he was curious, as was shown through his inquiries.

"You are allowed to ask me anything that might be on your mind at any time, personal or not," she voiced, disclosing that which she assumed might have already been known. At times, there would be things that she wouldn't, or couldn't, share, but that didn't mean she'd ever prevent it from being presented. "The tribe I was born into is centered around dragons. The belief of them and their power, everything that they are capable of, we are brought up learning of it all." A faint smile could be easily detected within her features, as she was, without a doubt, comfortable speaking of her birthplace. "There is one dragon in particular, Draco, who is most revered within the tribe. They say a pact was made between him and an ancestor of my family lifetimes ago, and due to that he watches over every last one of us. Because of that pact, however, he is always choosing a vessel for himself from the women of my family—the firstborns, to be exact.

"Of my generation, I was not only the first child to enter the world, but also the first female." She glanced to the male for a brief moment, looking to gauge his reaction, before returning to her words and the placement of her paws. "I have had a connection to Draco since birth, and so it had been crucial that I learn of everything capable of being offered to me, everything the elders had to give. If it had not been for that, I fear I may never have learned of the Dragon King, and certainly would never have met him." What would have happened then? Would they have settled elsewhere—or better yet, would she have ever even left her place of birth? "Though I had learned of him and many others, I had never imagined I would be given the chance to speak with him." There she stopped, letting her words be taken in and interpreted in any which way.

There was no hesitation before Asterr replied — it was yet another showing of her grace as a leader. She expected honesty from her subordinates, so she led the way by being honest herself, even if that meant speaking of her personal life. Noctura had of course not picked up good manners from the almost-mute savage father who had raised him, but had subconsciously remembered some politeness from his early childhood, and the rest of it he'd picked up along the way, mainly through use of his own romantic imagination. That was how he knew to word his question without being impertinent. He wanted to know more about Asterr, but not in any pushy sense — perhaps that was part of why she answered so easily.

It was likely also because she respected the wishes of her subordinates, though. Noctura knew that he was not special, other than in the sense that they were all special to her in their own ways, and he hadn't even toyed with the idea that she might feel for him what he felt for her. No, he was content to be as special as the others who ran with Ryūjin, for that meant Asterr was willing to share some of her life with him.

He listened with great fascination. Had he not also been giving some attention to the path ahead and finding a way into the cavern, Noctura would have been gazing at her outright, looking down into her sparkling silver eyes as she spoke of dragons, prophecy, and magic. Her history was romantic beyond his wildest dreams, and the conviction of her words made her story ring with more truth than he ever would have expected. I'm envious, he admitted, quietly ashamed of his selfishness in being so. Your upbringing sounds more enchanting and more sacred than anything my own childhood could have mustered.

Never could she have any problem with sharing of her past, her childhood and upbringing. She took pride in her life prior to her decision to travel, even if some back home might have viewed her choice far differently. Alas, she knew the truth, which was what mattered most, and that truth was what she would always share when asked of her younger self. It helped, too, with her willingness to share that she sought out the chance to learn more of her fellow tribe members. In doing so, one must also be open to telling of their own life, or else how could they possibly expect another to be interested in telling their own story?

"Many parts if it were," she voiced, briefly recalling a few of the pleasant memories she held. "Though the constant flow of various lessons did not always sit well with me. There were some occasions in which I had considered going into hiding for any stretch of time." At that, she chuckled a bit, knowing now just how little that would have accomplished. All it would have done was make things more problematic, both for herself and the elders. Not to mention the matter of dealing with Draco, who could have easily taken the reins had the girl not learned all she had. In her younger days, the dragon would have held little remorse for jumping at an opportunity to control her, as their time together was little and uneventful. Since then, however, the two had been given the time to bond, to understand one another, as well as learn to value the other's abilities and worth. There were times, still, in which Draco tried for control, but they were few and short-lived.

Realizing she'd grown distracted by her own thoughts and memories, she dismissed it all and looked to the dark male. He had mentioned his own upbringing, however brief it may have been, earning him her curiosity. They had known one another for only a small amount of time, but she couldn't help but ask, "Would you mind telling me a bit more of your own childhood?"

Thank you for the promotion! <3

Noctura could see her clearly in his mind's eye, a child-Asterr just as calmed and mature as she was now, attending dutifully to lessons. About what, he wasn't sure, but he could make a good guess — lessons on lore and legend, on manners and leadership, and on what was expected of her. Had they been agemates and in the same pack, would the two dark pups have been friends? Would he have proved a welcome distraction from her duties? Would he have been the "hiding" she'd been yearning for?

That was where his imagination drew the line, for he simply couldn't imagine his young self having any friends at all.

He offered her a faint smile as if to communicate that he would have been her childhood friend had it been possible, but he had no apt reply, and anyway she was smooth in changing the subject. I'd be happy to... he replied first-off, to confirm that he would respond to her request. But there was a pause, partly because he (momentarily) thought he'd found a sizeable gap through to the mountain (at another look it turned out it wasn't sizeable enough), and partly because he wasn't sure how to explain his childhood.

I remember very little of my early childhood — just that I was born with humans nearby, and that my mother was tawny and sceptical. I remember much after I was shipped across the sea, though. I was raised by my father — it was just him and me, and we were nomadic. He was extremely savage, and that was all I knew.

Welcome~

Friends had been hard to come by in her younger days. One would think that, given her standing in her birth tribe, she would have constantly been swarmed by others her own age, that she would have always had everyone's undivided attention. Such assumptions were, in fact, true—however, few of those who knew of her could be titled as a true friend. Acquaintances, tribe mates, peers, and even followers were those who'd surrounded her. Family, too, along with the others who respected her for the gift she possessed, but only a select few had ever drawn near enough emotionally and spiritually to obtain her defined friendship. Each of which, as strange as it might seem to outsiders, were members of her blood family. Alas, she'd never given it much thought, for the dragoness was not one to seek out an abundance of kindred spirits.

Asterr was pleased by his willingness to share his own tale of childhood, and remained silent to give him the verbal room to speak. She was not the impatient sort, thinking little of his pause—she'd accepted it right away, actually, quickly having decided it to be warranted. No longer were they strangers, but they also weren't close. Well, not enough to make the idea of a complete divulgence of their past experiences without an ounce of hesitation seem reasonable, but enough so that they were comfortable around one another. They could speak freely, or so was the girl's belief, but that didn't mean times would never come in which the other might not be fully comfortable. Certain aspects of life, specific memories, were sometimes just not the type of things meant to be dug up and shared. The fact alone that he was willing to even considering delving into the past was, by far, more than enough.

Noctura shared his story, reminding her of his closeness to the humans. Such was still something she worried over, even though she had been assured they'd not harmed him. The part about being a nomad and his father's traits were new, however, and she found herself wishing to hear more. "How far did the two of you travel with each day?" the yearling inquired, her movements pausing briefly as she inspected a gap, but it was abandoned rather quickly. "Your father... did he ever lash out at you?" Perhaps it was asking too much of him to relive past memories, but she couldn't help herself. The concern she felt towards him was too great for her to abandon the idea of being told more.

Noctura's large black paws continued their way carefully along the ridges, pressing down just enough to hold his great weight and then moving onwards with a grace that was almost slowmo. Asterr, in the meantime, walked at his side with nimbler ease, sometimes above him and sometimes below, each taking the high road and the low road in turn. His heart, mind and body had all come to accept Asterr as his Alpha, but that didn't mean they couldn't have a conversation as equals. They were learning of each other.

He wasn't quite sure how to reply to the questions, however. They were more particular than he'd anticipated, meaning he'd never answered such questions before. It was worth noting that he had no problem with them whatsoever, partly because he was not a secretive wolf and partly because Asterr was the one asking. There was just no pre-prepared wording for this...

To be honest, I'm not sure quite how far we travelled. But the landscape sometimes changed so dramatically that it must have been hundreds of miles in total. We eventually settled in a pack, but I was quick to move on.

As to the other question, which was more personal, Noctura had no qualms with it — and nor did he with the reality of it. Yes, we fought often, that was how he'd get his points across. If he's still alive, it's probably still his favourite method of communication.

A clear answer concerning the distances traveled could not be provided, but the response given still fascinated her all the same. She had traveled a fair distance in order to reach Teekon, yes, but the male's description made her feel certain that he had traveled much farther. As someone who was previously driven by an urge to see as many sights as possible, she could not deny the newfound interest she had in Noctura and his life. She wished to know more, but was uncertain of whether or not she should ask. After all, asking those types of questions simply wasn't her, but then again... she had already asked him queries capable of being categorized under the same label. Would another be too much? She certainly hoped not. "What was your favourite place to have ever seen?"

Asterr was taken aback by her companion's response, finding it entirely unsettling that a father could treat their child in such a way. If it was training, she could understand, but the dark man had not said training. He'd said they'd fought often, implying something of a more serious nature than simple, educational spars. "I cannot imagine living such a life," she commented, voice soft and seemingly small. They had lived such different lives up until then, experienced far different things. "I hope that you, and everyone else, will never have to fight anyone here. I do not wish for any of you to be injured."

Normally her question would have sprung a thousand possibilities to his mind, and with those possibilities a thousand images. Soaring mountains, glimmering ice lakes, echoing caverns, rolling wetlands — and of course the lights. The northern lights, that deep aurora that first instilled in him a romanticism so against his nature.

But his thoughts were still mostly on his past life at the moment, unable to switch the subject from his coarse early-realities to the magical places that lived on in his heart. So first he addressed Asterr's latter point, which was a gentle one. For a dragon's young champion the girl was beautifully peaceful. So contrary to his own instinct.

I feel entirely the same, he replied softly, thinking not of his own injuries but those of any poor wretch that got caught up in any stupidly violent motion that might suddenly overcome him.

But very swiftly he was able to come back to her question — the one about favourite places. For no sooner had he finished speaking than he caught sight of a great gap in the stone up ahead. It was draped with dead moss, but that was easy to brush past. A way in at last — a way down into the top of the cavern within. As to my favourite places, he considered. I think this is one.

They were on the same page, which certainly counted for something. With the way many of her members were built, she often worried over how they viewed the life of peace she strived to make for them. At times, she wondered if they might someday up and leave, but would quickly correct herself. They had offered their loyalty, and for that she would never doubt their words. They were there to stay, she believed, and so surely they held no qualms with the lack of violence. Perhaps they might even enjoy it, for it was quite the change of pace in comparison to how they could be. With the power that radiated from each individual, she viewed it as a blessing that they did not act out against her wishes, for there was no denying the loss she would suffer in a physical confrontation.

Asterr, too, had spotted the gap in the rock, but her gaze was pulled off of it and onto Noctura as he spoke. She smiled at his words, and even offered a gentle sway of her tail to accompany it. "I am pleased to hear that," the girl stated, her steps slowing in the process as they drew closer to the covered opening. "I hope to someday hear everyone within the tribe say the same thing." The thought alone brought her joy, envisioning the day in which the others grew to favourite their home. It was not long that she thought about it currently, however, for her movements had stopped and she'd nosed at the moss covering. The dragoness was slow to grab hold of it, carefully placing her teeth to not risk too much tearing, and then pulled away the soft blanket. Afterwards, she simply stood there, allowing Noctura the chance to enter first—it was a place meant to be his, after all.

The large wolf gave a faint smile to the smaller one as she stepped aside for him. Asterr's humbleness was all part of her power — he wondered briefly if she even knew this, deep down. She had been raised for leadership, after all; she had perhaps been taught that modesty and humility were two of many strengths that would benefit her reign. But Noctura liked to think this was just her character, regardless of lessons learned.

The curtain of moss trailed over his back as he walked through into the great cavern. He already recognised some of the scene below — trees that he and Asterr had walked among just a couple of hours previously. As for the ridge on which they now stood, it was bigger than he'd thought, strong and stable, more like a little plateau than anything else. And it was a windbreak; a private and peaceful place to sleep.

He looked to Asterr, then, silently inviting her to join him in a walk to the tapered edge of the ridge so that they could assess the view below and see if they could spot her favourite clearing.

Want to wrap this up soon? c:

The girl hung back as the elder wolf entered through the chasm, allowing him the first glance at everything it had to offer. It was a wonder they'd managed to find an opening other than the main one, and even more so that it'd been stationed right over a ridge. Each day, the volcano seemed to reveal something new to her, enchanting things that one might recommend not thinking twice about. Coincidences, really, yet she viewed it as something far more. It was due to the combined efforts of both Draco and Zennyo Ryūō that they were blessed with the opportunities to find such astounding sights—or so was what she genuinely believed.

Upon receiving a look back from Noctura, the female made her way in through the entrance. Slipping in was an easy task for the sylph, her landing being about as silent as her steps. The moss that trailed across her dorsal in the process sent a shiver down her spine, though the feeling itself was actually rather soothing. Her eyes trailed around the space, taking it in before she moved closer to her companion, where her gaze was then set free to wander over the expanse of the forest beneath them. From above, it looked even greater in size, filling her to the brim with a content feeling.

It was only after a few moments had passed that she'd started searching for the clearing, slowly scanning over every visible inch of the woodland below. Once she caught sight of the ancient hemlock , she pointed it out to Noctura with her muzzle. "There," she voiced, head turning to observe his expression. "That tree is the greatest thing to look for when wishing to locate the clearing." It was true, too, as it was stationed almost perfectly against the outer edge of the clearing's reach. Perhaps the tree was another reason she enjoyed that particular space, for it's age signified a mysterious, unspoken tale.

Sounds like a plan. ^___^

The height of the ridge and the beauty of the landscape below was almost surreal. Noctura couldn't see any route up here from inside the mountain, and he doubted if even Asterr's younger sharper eyes could spot one. This plateau was almost like a huge sideways stalactite with a handsome door from the outside but no way up from within — at least not that he could see. But Noctura didn't make a comment on this flaw. The view was stunning.

The great wolf stood still on the edge of the precipice, content at Asterr's side as they gazed out over the forest. He saw the tree, which from up here looked almost sacred in its position. The clearing itself looked magical. Noctura treasured each moment of this... and not just because of his beautiful companion.

I'll cherish this view, he vowed. Thank you for showing it to me.

Last post from me~!

In spite of the lack of accessibility from within the cavern itself, the ridge was too marvelous to be forgotten or labeled as unimportant. She treasured each and every inch of her home, for the land itself and the members within it. The moment was made all the more special since she'd been able to share it with another—especially someone as pleasant and visually appealing as Noctura. This thought, however, was neither voiced nor would it ever be. She was slightly embarrassed for having thought such a thing, feelings pertaining to any aspect of romance foreign to her. It was quickly chalked up to be something of a strong bond forming, but one of friendship only, as she was uncertain just yet of the truth behind the comfort she found in his presence. Even so far up, on a place where one wrong move could lead to one's death, she was entirely at ease while residing at his side.

"As will I," the dragoness returned, ensnared by the beauty of it all. "Thank you for allowing me to accompany you on this journey so that we both could witness this—together." Asterr looked to him, meeting his gaze with a smile across her maw. For some reason, she couldn't help but think that the experience wouldn't have been the same had it been shared with someone else. The male had, in his own way, entrapped her just as the view itself had, and she wasn't eager to escape his grasp.

Aaaand, fini~

The large black wolf gazed down at the sage Alpha with nothing short of gentleness in his silver eyes, knowing her once more to be a type of company he had never known before. When he walked with Asterr he walked with magic in his step, propelling him, motivating him to continue in his aim — to rehabilitate himself into a wolf worthy of the dragon's pack.

As they overlooked their home at Thunder Dome, Noctura standing with the only creature who'd ever been able to tame him, he felt something tantamount to hope. There were other feelings there besides... but all were forms of hope.