Paragons and Paranoia

[native badger]

"I see, it is a fair response if an unfortunate one, I am glad to have been able to chat with her if only a little. It is always a treat to hear her perspective." he chuckles, "I am afraid of coming off as a bit of a pest to her at times though, especially when considering what you've told me about other Kobolds and how they've reacted to her. Admittedly, there is something a bit innately odd about considering her as a guildmate and not a superior to take orders from."

[proud hull]

Caed quietly laughs to himself. "She is a—unique—one, yes. What is a treat for you is a show of what might be our fault." 'Our' being used to refer to himself and the rest of his family. "You're a reverent sort but with how things are and have been, I do not find that worry to be unfounded or unreasonable to feel. She has both directly and indirectly clashed horns with other guildmates before." He once again lets a small laugh free. It quickly being followed up with a few slow nods with his eyes closed. "If it helps, one is older than her and we know that even without considering anything else one has to their name, that will define the strength difference. Not that she would enjoy such being pointed out."

[native badger]

"I understand, I simply hope things get better for her."

He gives a smile that has a corny-ness that is only exceeded by an overwhelming genuineness.

"As hard to impress though she may be, I do hope to see her collected demeanour break just once for a hearty laugh. Not sure how that might be achieved if the offering of that action figure didn't do it, but there must be a way."

[proud hull]

Caed thinks on the comment for a moment, coming to a realization that one really does not ever laugh much. Perhaps some small chuckles at someone's expense. Or a sort of laughter with a few she banters with, but rarely if at all does she 'break' into laughter. "Perhaps possible but one cannot say I can think of a time where a bellowing or raucous laugh was her thing. Not in any recent years at least."

[native badger]

"Everyone has their limit, just need to determine what it is. If I can fight a Greatwyrm, surely I can find a way to get someone to laugh?"

[proud hull]

"Most have some spot for humour, it is not that she lacks such entirely. Just don't hurt yourself looking for it. One very well may have to settle for the small laughs that are seen now."

[native badger]

"I think you know how bad I am at not overdoing it when I set my mind to something," he laughs, "Don't worry, I don't plan on producing a flood of bad jokes or juvenile pranks, it may take time, but I'll find something funny, just got to figure out what amuses her other than food or building up her hoard."

[proud hull]

"It is perhaps unhelpful to say this, and my intention is not to pull wind from one's sail, but the things I could name that she likes would not be of much assistance in this endeavor. At least I would not imagine so."

[native badger]

"Hmmm, I suppose it will have to be something that is a surprise in some way. I'll think of something eventually, may take a decade or two but I'll give it a shot."

[proud hull]

"As things are, you are picking a tough battle. The times I can really think of her letting out a more open laugh, are one's you can't expect yourself to be a part of. You are—" Caed starts to laugh a bit before he continues. "—well, perhaps a little too old to get that side of her."

[native badger]

He tilts his head, "As in I missed the years where it was something that happened? Or that she tends to be more open to laugh among children? Or both?"

[proud hull]

"More the latter than the former, though I suppose she was a bit more open when she was but a small wyrm. For all her attitude, she handles children fairly well. Perhaps it is specifically their naivete that she finds endearing; a sort of awe given unto her that she responds well to. She herself is an older sister, so she has some practice."

[native badger]

His face brightens, "Then perhaps I won't need decades then, there will almost certainly be some excited hatchlings to rescue on the mission to come. If such a feat is beyond my abilities, then maybe those youngins might do something to get a laugh out of her, intentionally or not."

[proud hull]

"Mayhaps so, but that would then be their laugh to claim." A grin running across his face as he makes the remark. "In this hypothetical scenario of course." Caed gives a slight shrug as he tilts his head.

[native badger]

"So long as I'm able to witness it," he grins "I wonder what kind of laughs she has?"

[proud hull]

"One will simply have too see to find out. Though I don't think you're in for a boisterous laugh; I do not believe I have ever heard such from her. For that, one may need to start seeking a different kind of metallic."

[native badger]

"Well, I'm not one to back down from a challenge. I am henceforth committed to getting her to laugh, and no mere chuckle or snort!"

[proud hull]

"Then I wish you all the luck that you may some time need." Caed lowers his head slightly, with his eyes closed for a moment, but not low enough to obscure the smile that rests upon his face. "Could very well be your easiest or hardest battles, only time and wit itself will know."

[native badger]

"A battle well worth fighting," he smiles, "Speaking of which, I suppose I should make my return so that I might begin the final preperations for that."

[proud hull]

Caed slowly nods. "You have your things ready and amulet bonded? Oneself is as ready as they will be for the trip back down." He gestures to himself, of course one is not wearing much by the ways of heavy snow-gear, but with said gesture his outerwear shifts to that of lightly furred clothes of white and grey.

[native badger]

"Should be all set! I simply need to get Klatter up, do you think Rimefang will be up to say good-bye? Or best to let her rest after the busy days?"

[proud hull]

Caed takes in a long breath and lets out a much quicker exhale. Thinking to himself if it is appropriate to do so, mostly for the idea that while one is quite proud of some of their draconic tendencies it still may not be all that right to really 'show off'. After a moment Caed gives a few small nods and gives a gesture that says to follow. "Sure, if you would like to."

[native badger]

Klang gives a sharp nod and follows behind Caed
"Figured it'd be a bit rude to leave unannounced."

[proud hull]

Caed begins to lead Klang back through the path that he and Eidel have been seen to enter and exist a few times. At first it leads to a bedroom, with quick glance this is likely where Caed, and sometime his sister, find rest. A room that by the way it is shaped was likely added after acquiring this cavern for themselves. Towards the back of the room the path continues with a somewhat-sharp turn making the room beyond only visible if one stood at the other end of the s-shaped path. What follows is the largest room, the room the former 'tenet' probably spent the most time in and what now serves as place for the hoard, or hoards if you consider them divided.

The common room had décor, of course. A tasteful amount plenty would say, at least when compared to that of the highest of nobles. This room however has tens—no, certainly hundreds of thousands—of coins interspersed with gems, jewlery, and assorted finery of precious make. Paintings, figures and figurines; assorted objects of history and art, all scattered about. Books, both fine and aged can be found stacked in different locations, sometimes atop what could be a partial buried table and other times just starting from the floor. One now looks into a room containing a hoard for the years; there are larger for sure, the greatest of wyrms will no doubt rival or best this, but one can see how their gear is financed.

Laying into the side of one of the piles is Eidel, she is adorned with little of her jewelry, not much more than her enchanted headdress. She lay sideways somewhat, a book is open and she has a single claw touching the page as she lazily scans it. With footsteps, particularly more than the movement of one person, she slowly turns her head towards where they walk. A slow hum is let out before she speaks. "One presumed the journey down the mountain had already began."

[native badger]

"We may have gotten caught up in a bit of conversation, but I shall be taking my leave now." he gives a small bow, "Thank you for your hospitality, it was an honour to be invited into your lair and I look forward to working together in future missions."

He gives a grin, "Next we meet I'll be sure to get my hands on something perhaps less vain for your hoard."

He takes a moment to scan the room to and make a mental note of what objects seem to be situated most prominently.

[proud hull]

"As one does." She then slowly nods. "One did not have to do the hosting myself, but you are welcome." There is a light puff of air, a quick silent laugh mixed with an exhale. "We will see how many more of those there will be. There is—not much time left with the guild—for either of us."

"So you say." Her tone indicating some light mockery. "That being said, it was some challenge to not lose it." With this said one could take a wide look about, it may not be the easiest to spot on quick glance due to comparative size, but one very well may find the assortment of toys both plush and otherwise that were once mentioned prior, each in their own spot atop shelves and other cubbies. A massive plush-toy, one far too big for most, made in Bahamut's likeness and an ancient silver dragon plush some bit smaller likely are the first to stand out by size alone. Now near this group, amongst the others, is the relatively tiny figure of Klang.

[native badger]

"Perhaps not many left with the guild, but who is to say what the future holds and when there will be need of Bahamut's warriors to work together against a threat."
He gives a light shrug,
"Hostess or not, if I am to someday call myself a knight I would be remiss to not give proper thanks to the Lady of the house. Or so I've read, hard to tell which books are meant to be accurate depictions of knightly behaviour or exaggerated."

Another shrug is given,

"In any case, I am appreciative of your putting up with me."

He flashes a genuine smile and gives another bow.

[proud hull]

Eidel once more lets out the faintest sound of amusement before she lowers her head slightly with a slight tilt to one side, acknowledging the bow. "Safe travels, little dragon." Thereafter wiggling her body slightly to readjust into the pile. And do try not to get stuck in the snow."

[native badger]

"I'll do my best," He chuckles, "Farewell, and may Bahamut bless your path."

[proud hull]

Eidel lets her head rest back how it was prior, a claw being returned to her book. Her eyes slowly making their way across the pages. Caed then giving a small nod in the direction where they came. "Probably will not be gone long. If I am, one is hunting." Caed says somewhat calling out as he is turned away.

[native badger]

Klang follows Caed back to the entrance where Klatter is already up and ready.

"Prepared to go as always, Klatter. At least you got a bit more rest today than the past couple."

[proud hull]

Caed reaches for a few bundled torches and sets them in belt loops for a moment as he then sets his mask to his face. Afterwards letting out a quick puff of fire to ignite two torches and hands them to Klang, the heat coming off them unnaturally hot, similar to when the two were sitting near the hearth. With hands momentarily free he then unlocks the double-wide doors and pulls them open. "Alright one each. Should somewhat assist in keeping you warmer and will mean spotting each other will be easier."

[native badger]

He braces himself as the doors open to the oppressive mountain weather.

"Every bit helps," he says as he hops up atop Klatter with a few flaps of his wings, "Let's move out!"

[proud hull]

Caed steps out and pulls the doors shut and used the rod-key to lock them before stepping in and through the illusory mountainside. His pace nonchalant and a long and deep breath taken in as one is completely out of the cavern. "Once more unto the breach."

The group, this time just a touch smaller, now makes the short walk back through this hidden valley and towards where the storms begin. The sounds of whipping winds and thunder much further up the mountain becoming more apparent as it were before on the way up. The journey back through the blizzard is a touch shorter this time around. The storms lessening in the last hour, unlike when they started from that point and gone up the mountain. This time as well one has an active source of heat with them, one that perhaps-strangely does not get extinguished by the high winds and snowfall.

[native badger]

As they make their way to the place where they are to part ways, Klang awaits the signal to return the amulet. Once given, he takes it off and hands it back to Caed.

"Thank you, I really needed that. Not just to figure out the plan and all that, but it had been too long since I've had a good chat with a friend. I've been far too cooped up with my own thoughts and this helped a lot."

[proud hull]

Caed puts the amulet around his own neck and begins to tuck it under his clothes. "It was of no issue. One had means to a solution, just had to figure how to securely get you there."

[native badger]

"Issue or not, it is extremely appreciated," he begins to adjust himself in his saddle to prepare to take off, "Stay safe and may Bahamut guide you, I have a feeling you'll receive a sign of sorts in not too long that you are on the right path."

[proud hull]

"Yourself as well, Klang. If you need to catch us, once more there are a few whom know us enough to Send messages, this can bypass our magics. Otherwise we do drop by the mines once or twice a month." Caed then widens his smile slightly. "We shall certainly see."

"Oh and something to leave you with to think about; brass too is red."

[native badger]

He tilts his head a bit at the last remark, "I suppose? Depends on how much copper you put in it. But I'd imagine that isn't what you mean," he chuckles, "Yet another thing I'll probably have to think about."

[proud hull]

At the mention of copper, Caed tilts his head forwards slightly, a silent 'see'. "Or don't it only means as much as you want it to." Caed then lowers his himself into a half-bow.

[native badger]

"Had to end it off on a mischevious note I see," he grins, "In any case, have a safe trip back."

He pats Klatter's side and takes off into the air, quickly disappearing off into the distance.