Post by Lone Dancer on Feb 25, 2023 6:47:04 GMT
Everything was bleary when he first woke up, his eyes fuzzy. As he came to, the first thing he noticed were the pangs of hunger that struck through his body. Pushing himself to a standing position from off the ground he tried to remember what the moons happened.
Vague details obliged him, memories of going out for a flight before being viciously attack by a… sandwing? Skywing? He couldn’t recall. He was just going out for a hunt and then falling. Trying to get his bearings he nearly jumped out of his scales as someone coughed next to him.
“Ah, you’re awake! Good, good. Found you napping among these meadows. We didn’t want to disturb you, but you see, we’re rather lost and were hoping you could provide us with directions.” A figure reminiscent of a nightwing loomed over him, but something seemed off that he couldn’t put a claw on. However, their demeanor was friendly enough and they felt oddly trusting.
“Wuh?” He tried to respond but a jumbled grunt came out. He shook his head, wincing at the sudden pain. Words found him however, so he made another attempt at speech.
“Where you heading.” His throat was dry, but it didn’t stop him from croaking out the words.
“Just looking for the nearest city.”
“Oh. Well…” It took him a few moments to process the question before a name and destination flooded into his mind.
“Oh, yah, the Sunclaw City is nearby here. Just over those mountains.” Craning his head, he was able to find and point at the correct mountains.
“Thanks so much, you were quite helpful. You should do something about that stomach though, I can hear the growling.”
He wanted to chuckle but his throat was so dry and his stomach was burning. The nightwing spoke again.
“Lucky for you, I spotted this deer carcass nearby. It should help satiate you.” His vision was clearing up as the stranger spoke, allowing him to notice the mudwing covered in vine tattoos beside the nightwing. But the distinct smell of deer distracted him.
He appreciated the strangers kindness. The nightwing gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder before taking to the skies with the mudwing.
He took few stumbling steps before finding his footing. The deer corpse was a quick find. It was fresh, and larger than he expected. His stomach was frothing at the chance to dig in, so he began his feast.
The deer tasted different, but it was delicious. The best meal he’s had in ages. As he ate he could’ve sworn he saw red scales here and there but a second glance confirmed there was none. Probably just the results of still waking up.
###
Sunclaw City was a bustling location, containing every dragon in every scale all hollering at each to either buy their wares to move out of the way. For one odd looking nightwing, it was perfect.
Setting up shop in a rented stall alongside the busiest road wasn’t cheap, but he could procure the funds. What he was looking for he considered well worth the price of a few golden coins.
He had his secretary stand outside, holding a sign emblazoned with his signature colors. It even had neon lights edging around it. He was offering the chance to play a game or two, as well as the potential to sign up for a special event.
Dragons passed him by at first, but something about the sign was just enticing. A call to win it big. And so the first dragon entered, an average sized seawing with scales the color of seaweed.
“What kinda games you running here?” Their voice was gruff, but interested.
“Fun ones, several classics like bean toss, or cards. There’s marbles if you’re interested in that. Among others I don’t care to name. But a real fun one, the fan favorite is the Wheel.”
“I see. And what about this special event?”
“Well, I’m hosting a game soon, and I’m searching for contestants. You see, it’s a big event with a lot of folks looking forward to watch. You entertain them, and you get a chance to win something big like nothing else. It’s win-win, as they say. I assure you, the potential prizes to win are worth it. Hell, people would kill you to have this chance to I’m providing”
“I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I’ll try the bean toss. My friends say I have a good throw.”
“Of course, of course. No worries. A silver to try but a gold to win if you land 4 out of 5.”
The seawing hesitated at first. He wasn’t flush with cash, but single silver couldn’t hurt. He’d just leave if he failed. Handing over the price to play, the nightwing in return gave him several bags full of beans.
With a smile, they said good luck.
He landed all five.
To his surprise, the nightwing whistled.
“Aye, good aim. Your friends don’t lie. Well, your winnings as promised.”
“Care to try your aptitude with other games?”
To his own surprise, he agreed. But was he glad he did. Because he just kept winning. He found himself outplaying the nightwing, who would always whistle or applaud them before handing over their winnings. 1 gold become 2, become 4, became 10, and then he had a platinum. Something he never held before. And yet here one was, all his.
And then came the Wheel. The last game left. Drunk on winning, he easily agreed to the nightwing’s request to spin.
The game was simple enough. He would spin this small colorful wheel with ratchets and whatever he landed on he would win.
“With the Wheel, I only let those who win most of my games have a go at it. You see, there is only winning with it, so it’s a bonus prize so to speak. Of course how big or how small the prize is up to luck.”
The seawing chuckled. His claw was on the small little thing, eager to give it a spin. With a nod from the nightwing, he let it rip.
The sound of rapid ticking filled the stall, the colors of the wheel blurring together alongside their shiny text.
Slowly it came to standstill. It landed on the word ‘GameShow’. He was confused on what that meant.
“Now that’s the greatest prize. You’ll be among the number of a merry few who’ve won that.”
The seawing looked up from the wheel to realize the nightwing had changed. They were larger, orange and blue highlights decorated their scales and eyes. No longer did they seem amiable and friendly. What stood before them was sinister.
“Oh, don’t look so shy, you’re about to get quite a few new friends. As I said, it’s not often people get to win me.”
“What?” He tried to back away but his legs failed him. The room was fading to black and orange and blue and felt like he couldn’t breath. It was cold, so very cold. And then it was over.
###
“Care to play a game or two?” Asked GameShow to an oblivious sandwing.
“I’m here for the special event.” They said, flicking their tail. He wonder why they seemed so nervous. Fidgety. But then the stench of desperation hit him and all GameShow could do was smile.
“Oh, wonderful! You came at just the right time. You see, I just have one open slot left. But things have a funny way of working out, no? Well, ready for a chance to win it big like no one before?”
The sandwing had a moment to think, but GameShow could see it in his eyes. The sandwing couldn’t resist. After all, everyone likes winning.
“Yah.”
Vague details obliged him, memories of going out for a flight before being viciously attack by a… sandwing? Skywing? He couldn’t recall. He was just going out for a hunt and then falling. Trying to get his bearings he nearly jumped out of his scales as someone coughed next to him.
“Ah, you’re awake! Good, good. Found you napping among these meadows. We didn’t want to disturb you, but you see, we’re rather lost and were hoping you could provide us with directions.” A figure reminiscent of a nightwing loomed over him, but something seemed off that he couldn’t put a claw on. However, their demeanor was friendly enough and they felt oddly trusting.
“Wuh?” He tried to respond but a jumbled grunt came out. He shook his head, wincing at the sudden pain. Words found him however, so he made another attempt at speech.
“Where you heading.” His throat was dry, but it didn’t stop him from croaking out the words.
“Just looking for the nearest city.”
“Oh. Well…” It took him a few moments to process the question before a name and destination flooded into his mind.
“Oh, yah, the Sunclaw City is nearby here. Just over those mountains.” Craning his head, he was able to find and point at the correct mountains.
“Thanks so much, you were quite helpful. You should do something about that stomach though, I can hear the growling.”
He wanted to chuckle but his throat was so dry and his stomach was burning. The nightwing spoke again.
“Lucky for you, I spotted this deer carcass nearby. It should help satiate you.” His vision was clearing up as the stranger spoke, allowing him to notice the mudwing covered in vine tattoos beside the nightwing. But the distinct smell of deer distracted him.
He appreciated the strangers kindness. The nightwing gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder before taking to the skies with the mudwing.
He took few stumbling steps before finding his footing. The deer corpse was a quick find. It was fresh, and larger than he expected. His stomach was frothing at the chance to dig in, so he began his feast.
The deer tasted different, but it was delicious. The best meal he’s had in ages. As he ate he could’ve sworn he saw red scales here and there but a second glance confirmed there was none. Probably just the results of still waking up.
###
Sunclaw City was a bustling location, containing every dragon in every scale all hollering at each to either buy their wares to move out of the way. For one odd looking nightwing, it was perfect.
Setting up shop in a rented stall alongside the busiest road wasn’t cheap, but he could procure the funds. What he was looking for he considered well worth the price of a few golden coins.
He had his secretary stand outside, holding a sign emblazoned with his signature colors. It even had neon lights edging around it. He was offering the chance to play a game or two, as well as the potential to sign up for a special event.
Dragons passed him by at first, but something about the sign was just enticing. A call to win it big. And so the first dragon entered, an average sized seawing with scales the color of seaweed.
“What kinda games you running here?” Their voice was gruff, but interested.
“Fun ones, several classics like bean toss, or cards. There’s marbles if you’re interested in that. Among others I don’t care to name. But a real fun one, the fan favorite is the Wheel.”
“I see. And what about this special event?”
“Well, I’m hosting a game soon, and I’m searching for contestants. You see, it’s a big event with a lot of folks looking forward to watch. You entertain them, and you get a chance to win something big like nothing else. It’s win-win, as they say. I assure you, the potential prizes to win are worth it. Hell, people would kill you to have this chance to I’m providing”
“I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I’ll try the bean toss. My friends say I have a good throw.”
“Of course, of course. No worries. A silver to try but a gold to win if you land 4 out of 5.”
The seawing hesitated at first. He wasn’t flush with cash, but single silver couldn’t hurt. He’d just leave if he failed. Handing over the price to play, the nightwing in return gave him several bags full of beans.
With a smile, they said good luck.
He landed all five.
To his surprise, the nightwing whistled.
“Aye, good aim. Your friends don’t lie. Well, your winnings as promised.”
Before he knew it, there was a shiny golden coin in his claws. It felt good to hold. No, it felt great. He earned it.
“Care to try your aptitude with other games?”
To his own surprise, he agreed. But was he glad he did. Because he just kept winning. He found himself outplaying the nightwing, who would always whistle or applaud them before handing over their winnings. 1 gold become 2, become 4, became 10, and then he had a platinum. Something he never held before. And yet here one was, all his.
And then came the Wheel. The last game left. Drunk on winning, he easily agreed to the nightwing’s request to spin.
The game was simple enough. He would spin this small colorful wheel with ratchets and whatever he landed on he would win.
“With the Wheel, I only let those who win most of my games have a go at it. You see, there is only winning with it, so it’s a bonus prize so to speak. Of course how big or how small the prize is up to luck.”
The seawing chuckled. His claw was on the small little thing, eager to give it a spin. With a nod from the nightwing, he let it rip.
The sound of rapid ticking filled the stall, the colors of the wheel blurring together alongside their shiny text.
Slowly it came to standstill. It landed on the word ‘GameShow’. He was confused on what that meant.
“Now that’s the greatest prize. You’ll be among the number of a merry few who’ve won that.”
The seawing looked up from the wheel to realize the nightwing had changed. They were larger, orange and blue highlights decorated their scales and eyes. No longer did they seem amiable and friendly. What stood before them was sinister.
“Oh, don’t look so shy, you’re about to get quite a few new friends. As I said, it’s not often people get to win me.”
“What?” He tried to back away but his legs failed him. The room was fading to black and orange and blue and felt like he couldn’t breath. It was cold, so very cold. And then it was over.
###
“Care to play a game or two?” Asked GameShow to an oblivious sandwing.
“I’m here for the special event.” They said, flicking their tail. He wonder why they seemed so nervous. Fidgety. But then the stench of desperation hit him and all GameShow could do was smile.
“Oh, wonderful! You came at just the right time. You see, I just have one open slot left. But things have a funny way of working out, no? Well, ready for a chance to win it big like no one before?”
The sandwing had a moment to think, but GameShow could see it in his eyes. The sandwing couldn’t resist. After all, everyone likes winning.
“Yah.”