...who let him even use the network, honestly

[deconsecrate]

[ Travelers, remember when you were recently informed about a terrifyingly organized group of dragons? And how this information was imparted in a manner grave, suitably solemn and noble and stuff?

...this probably won't be anything like that, just as a precaution. ]

Not to interrupt anyone's plans for the evening, but--

[ Hawke does not have any of them fancy image-sharing skills, so you're all just going to have to take his word on this. ]

I probably should let someone know there's herd of dragons on the move here, making a terrible mess of the tournament-grounds between Rivergard & Westgard. Bit bigger than the last ones, although not as many! Thank the Maker for small favors.

Does anyone know what you call a venery of dragons, by the way? I've always wondered*.

*[ no he hasn't ]

Comments

[evocalize]

[It'sa curious thing how anyone can be bored at a time like this, but considering Minato isn't a dragon slayer and he's been listening to what's being said by other people to know where not to go, he has more than enough time to come up with some witty* answer:

> 'Desolation'
> 'Destruction'
> Didn't you just say it?]

A desolation. ...at least, that's what it could be soon.

[*It's probably not.]

[deconsecrate]

A desolation of dragons! [ Hawke is delighted.] Not quite as good as 'a disaster,' but a shoe-in for second.

[ So as you see he can find pretty much anything funny. For better or not. ]

[evocalize]

Same difference. ...How big are they? [Because come to think of it, there's only so many places someone can hide in before becoming dragon food and he might be pretty indifferent but he'd still like to not be eaten if it can be helped.]

[deconsecrate]

Oh, reasonably horse-sized. Gryphon-size, I suppose. Why? Planning to shake hands with one?

[evocalize]

Wouldn't go in empty-handed for that. [Deadpan and lame pun aside, gryphon-sized dragons are a lot less deadly than he thought and he actually seems more curious when he continues on.]

It's important that we warn everyone else, right? There doesn't seem to be enough fighters to stop all of them and everyone's going to need food, sooner or later. [Or maybe he's just securing his own self-interest. Who knows?]

[deconsecrate]

[ Hawke loves lame puns. Like other people love cake. Thus, a bright rill of what would be laughter, were this not like, weird psychic communication, shimmers into existence and flickers out again. ]

I don't think food now's the problem so much as the potential slaughter of future generations. At least that's what someone with an awful lot of authority told me.

[ Lol, authority. ]

[evocalize]

[He really should be more alarmed by the bright rill, but that and the potential slaughter of many people are things so common to Minato by now that there's not a trace of panic in his voice.]

Who was that? I've also heard that this herd is more organized than the ones before it, which means that it could be a trap to lead us away from what we're looking for. [...whatever that is. Hell if he knows about half of what's going on, it's just that dragons don't just team up suddenly for no reason.]

[deconsecrate]

Haven't the faintest. We skipped right over introductions and landed smack in the middle of emergency. But he seemed very convinced he was important.

[ It ...was Joscelin, who was so bloody serious Hawke can't help talking out the side of his mouth. ]

Are they intelligent enough to set traps? There's a comforting thought.

[evocalize]

[Minato pauses thoughtfully for a while, mulling over those two points. He decides that this 'important' person isn't all that important in the long run and jumps straight to the subject of dragons.]

Their claws would get in the way, but that doesn't mean someone else couldn't have done it. What does anyone gain if this queen stays missing, anyway?

[deconsecrate]

When there's a power vacuum, someone always stands to gain. Usually whoever's filling it.

[ ...probably the most serious thing he's said all day. But he knows from experience, and not one he cares to repeat. ]

[evocalize]

The Illuminants, then. [It seems like the most obvious connection to him right now considering what little he knows, and from what he's heard they appear to have considerable powers too.] If that's so, they might be the key to returning her to her throne.

[deconsecrate]

And probably dying to hand it over, too.

[ Drier than anyone has ever been. Ever. ]

[evocalize]

[It's not too audible, but there's an uncomfortable twitch on the other end. He's really not too optimistic right now, but surely there's a better way to resolve this conflict.]

I hope that it doesn't end that way. Besides, some of those Illuminants might not be involved...not that I know enough to say if it's true.

[deconsecrate]

[ Hawke catches ...some of that; he may not grasp the reasoning behind it, but the sentiment remains. ]

You won't find me rushing in with swords at the ready.

[ A beat. ]

Not least because I'd have to have a sword for that.

[evocalize]

Or two. [That does sound curious though, as Minato's fairly sure that these Investigators or whatever they were called were supposed to have certain advantages.] You mean we don't get anything to use even if it fits the setting? [Honestly, that sounds like it'd be a bother. Not a nightmare, but still a pain.]

[deconsecrate]

I suppose we could if we were people who could use a sword, without chopping off any of our own toes. It's not really my area.

[evocalize]

I could use one, not that it matters when it's hard to get anything else as is. [Particularly because he would feel less like a sitting duck with it.] Anything else of interest?

[deconsecrate]

... other than the building-sized monsters who grind human bones to make their bread?

No, not really. I suppose there are some funny-looking rocks around, if that's what you're into.

[evocalize]

You mean giants? I'll pass on the both of that, thanks- hiding out here's already hard enough as it is.

[deconsecrate]

Can't say I blame you.

[ ...why is he doing anything heroic again. ]

[evocalize]

That's good. I'll see if there's anything to be found here, but I'm out otherwise- think this bartender's giving me a funny look. [Except it's probably because he looks like he's spacing out and he still does have blue hair even if all the other outrageous details about him are obscured.]

[deconsecrate]

What, for looking like you're slightly mad when you're sitting alone in a bar? Is he new to the business or what?

[ ...he does have a fair point there. ]

[evocalize]

I think it's my hair, but that's a good point. [Whether a blue-haired boy is a strange sight or not, it's not as if bartenders are paid to stare at them after all.]

Anyway, talk to you later. [There's the sound of someone getting off a chair rather quickly before the connection's cut off. Huh, there might be an interesting story there.]