Random encounters. (Priv for Baldi) (Cheeky comment: Not spelling his whole name lol)

Azronical had grown quite annoyed with his latest project. No matter how hard he tried the mekanism he was working on would falter. Against a wall he had carved out an area to look like a massive waterfall emptying into a detailed basin on the ground the inside of the basin big enough for him to wash in. His plan was the funnel water from a nearby pocket of underground spring water down into holed in the wall makeing the waterfall come alive with flowing water draining eventually into the basin. But what was going wrong was it would falter occasionally gravity makeing the pipeing a pain to preform. He was getting mild success tho as it was begining to drain thrue the holes.

He had a area set up to where he could drain the basin into a drain and it fills up a carved out hole. Under the hole was superheated gasses from a bit of lava that when he oppened them up the pressure would send the water back thrue pipes up into the orrigional pocket again. After a long struggle he grunted and rested in a corner the deed done enjoying the soght of a finished project when he heard something at his closed entrance.

The Earth King had left the Haven in the care of his Lieutenant while he explored the tunnels. Baldirak was looking for a good place to build a second city for his kingdom. It couldn't be just anywhere, of course; the surface location had to be a neutral area and abundant in prey. But the underground location had to be ideal as well. It couldn't be too cold or too hot.

Despite his insistence against it, two of the King's Royal Guards, twins Hamnet and Hapax, came along. As much as he admired and appreciated their dedication to their job, he really wanted to be alone today. At least they had agreed--reluctantly--to staying five tail lengths behind him. They would be able to hear him but he would remain out of sight.

Having been on the move for about an hour now, Baldirak sat to rest his three good legs. He had stopped at a crossroad and looked from one tunnel to the next, debating which path to take.

After getting up Azronical looked towards the intricate door to his place. Two stone dragons where popping out of the stone gems for eyes and scales. In the middle of them they where encorcleing an area with several holes into the stone. Heading over he inserted his claws into holes clicking sounds happening as he in a strange order unlatched different holes before pushing open the door it slideing out. The other side of the door blended to perfection with the wall. As he tried to open the door tho something wouldn't budge makeing him roll his eyes. Something was in the way.

Hamnet and Hapax could now see their King. They also heard something nearby, the sound of earth moving. The two walked around Baldirak, looking around for the source of the noise. The older twin, Hamnet, took the left tunnel while Hapax took the right. Baldirak watched them in curiosity, as neither had said a word. He himself had not heard anything, having been preoccupied with his thoughts. Deciding not to disturb them, Baldirak stood and continued on, taking the center tunnel. "Don't stray too far," he said to his Royal Guards, knowing he wouldn't get far before he heard them running after him.

Azronical pushed harder against the stubborn door until it managed to slide open with some difficulty. Seeing a large slab of stone that broke off from the roof due to his tunneling he pushes it out of the way. "Well guess im going to have to reinforce the roof, to much banging around fixing these annoying pipes." Stretching out he looks for the source of the noise he had heard.

Baldirak soon found himself rather warm, uncomfortably so. It didn't take long to realize he was walking beneath FireWing lands. Every so often, he would come across some lava making its way up to the surface from the planet's core. There were areas further up where lava pooled; it was from these pools that the EarthWings acquired lava for their forges. But no city would be built here... it was good for fire, but nothing else. As Baldirak turned into another tunnel, he contemplated expanding a chamber that was beneath the IceWings. Not long after becoming king, he had had a storage chamber built there, to store extra food if needed.


Hapax and Hamnet hadn't wandered too far down their respective tunnels. Having not found anything, both were making their way back to the central tunnel. It was then they heard a voice and, as they got closer, saw an EarthWing sticking out from a hidden tunnel in the wall. Hamnet spoke first, "Is that your den?"
"You're an awful far way from the Haven." Hapax added.

Azronical was quick to notice his guests and watched them with very little trust but nothing signifieing hostility. "Maybe. Most of the tunnels around here are part of my den. Sorry if I seem not very trusting just normally I don't recieve guests this far out. I tend to value my peace in my studies. Why may I owe the pleasure of this visit." He said his muscles obviously ready to bolt. It startled him to see others so close to his home. He went to the Haven time from time but usualy just for supply runs.but he also knew better then to be unwelcomeing his guests had hardly shown any hostility. "Do you two need a rest it is quite far from the Haven just as you siad and most earthwings arn't acclimed to the heat like me. Ive lived my life working with it alltho im no smith."

The twins looked at each other before responding, starting with Hapax. "We're not visiting."
Hamnet continued, "His Highness is on a..."
"Mission, is the word you're looking for, Brother."
"Yes, a mission. Thank you, Hapax. And we accompany him."
"Being Royal Guards, of course." Hapax finished.
The two paused and simply looked at the isolated EarthWing before looking at the entrance to his den.  "A finely crafted door."
"Are you a Citizen? You might consider a job in Architecture if you are."
"Yes, less lazy Citizens, more Architects, I always say."
"...Brother, you have never said that. You always say more Royal Guards." Hamnet corrected.
Hapax frowned and swatted at his twin with his tail. "Don't correct me in front of Citizens. I'm just using this opportunity to recruit."
"Well you're not a recruiter, you're a Royal Guard. And if I can't correct you, then you can't swat me," Hamnet replied with a swatting of his own. And then the twins remembered the EarthWing in front of them, watching and judging them, no doubt. With a simultaneous shake of their heads, they composed themselves before returning to the conversation.
"Apologies, we digress."
"Yes, we digress. We thank you for offering a chance to rest.."
"...But we must catch up to the King. There's no telling what sort of horrible messes.."
"...He could have gotten himself into while we sit here..."
"...Chatting away like gossipy Citizens," they finished in unison. And then they realized that this entire time, they assumed this EarthWing was indeed a Citizen. Hamnet added,
"And we apologize for assuming that you are indeed a Citizen."
"Yes, more apologies. We'll be on our way, now."
"Goodbye!" With that, the twins continued on to the central tunnel to follow Baldirak.

It was ... Interesting and infuriating for Azronical. Listening to the two dragons was a exersize in patience.... Every single time he tried to open his mouth to talk one of them would start up again. It was interesting to hear that the king was here. That didn't comfort him at all tho.. Now he really had to worry as he knew he had a habbit of angering dragons and that was the last dragon he wanted to anger. Just as he was begining to say that he was a citizen but not one at the same time.

He rarely entered the city even tho he was ready to defend it if he was needed. Some would say he is more of a guest then citizen with his infrequent visits and speradic trades. Before he could even say anything tho the really confuseing and annoying twins where gone down the tunnel. Shakeing his head he assumed it was best to mind his own buisness. Heading furether into the tunnels he found the object that interested him greatly. He had no clue what this strange black stone he found hidden in a cave but it was of great value to him.

He had found this stone type near a lava well that attracted metal to it as if it was alive... He never heard of such a thing and this discovery led him to begin mineing it and gathering it in a large mound. He had plans for this strange stone....

(Postine under the assumption that magnetic metals are rare and undiscovered. Can change post if needed)

Baldirak now headed to a neutral area between FireWing territory and the Lush Forest. He had been here before and decided that this place would be ideal for a city. Being near their old territory, the climate would be one they are used to. This also meant that the tribe would have access to materials that could only be found in their old home. Baldirak dug out a small chamber then sat in it, trying to imagine what this new city would look like, how it would function. And then he heard the twins... so much for peaceful thinking. "Hamnet, Hapax... how nice of you to catch up. What took you so long?" '...And why didn't it take longer?'

The Royal Guards quickly found their King and joined him in the cave. "We we're looking for the source of that sound."
"And then we came across a Citizen. Can you believe that?"
"A Citizen who lives all the way out here, all alone?" Hamnet and Hapax shook their heads.

Baldirak only blinked and shook his head himself. The twins certainly were... something. He'd grown accustomed to their habit of talking like this and finishing each others sentences. Some found it annoying, others found it curious and wondered if they would do the same had they a twin. Baldirak was one of those in the middle; he didn't mind it at times and other times, it annoyed him. But they were good natured and did their job well. Still, the King didn't give them the satisfaction of an answer. He was sure they would likely run into this lone EarthWing again. For now, he lead his Guards back out into the tunnels and explored the area.

Meanwhile not to far away azronical was haveing quite the annoying time. After loading all the weird metal into a container and begining to walk he ran into problems left and right. First problem was the basket went flying into a wall filled with iron deposits and it took a good hour of pulling before he managed to free it..... But immediatly lose ballance after rolling down an incline flat into a rock.. Getting up and shakeing himself off he gives an angry kick at the rocks. "Allmost more trouble then your worth.. Allmost."

After several misfortunate situations involving pieces of metal in the walls nearly lodging themselves into him he managed to finnaly reach his workspace. Lugging the basket onto the table and poured all the stone out he looked at them thoughtfully. So many things he could do... Floating metal by haveing two of the rocks pulling in opposite directions... Latching mekanisms.. Heck he could even have moveing artwork if he placed the stones on pully systems. This was going to be fun.

For about half an hour, Baldirak and his Royal Guards surveyed the area. They made a small-scale model of Baldirak's plans for a new city. When he was satisfied, the trio started to head back to the Haven the way they'd came.

Azronical had worked all that time refineing the shape of the stones and pounding at them. He was no smith but he was definantly still skilled at useing a forge to shape metal and stone. After awile tho he got really tired of the current task and began to walk home about ready to wash up. Plus he kinda hoped to avoid being in the presence of those two annoying dragons. He thought that but a few seconds later he heard their voices again causeing him to roll his eyes slowly.

Hamnet and Hapax had retaken their places ten tail lengthens behind the King. Baldirak rounded the corner and saw an EarthWing. Perhaps it was the one his Guards had told him about. He made his way over to the Dragon. "EarthWing. You are a long way from the Haven."

After a second Azronical saw who the third dragon was and sighed. As much as he respected their king he was very worried about this. The last thing he needed was someone so powerfull to be ridiculling his plans. He replied rather swiftly "Well i'm not much of a social dragon. Better working with stone then other dragons alot of the time. I sincerely hope thats not a problem King? Also I can't help but notice how close you are to my home. I hope whatever you intend to do doesnt ruin my lifes work I put into these caves." He might sincerely respect Baldirak but he couldn't stop a little venom leaking sleightly into his voice on the last few sentences.

The King sat, looking at the EarthWing. "I see. Well, so long as you don't become too much of a stranger..." Baldirak's pale gaze moved around the area. He could hear Hapax and Hamnet moving closer. He frowned a little the last sentence he heard. "I do intend something be done in this area. I should not wish your whatever your life's work is be destroyed... But I would hope you put the needs of your tribe before that work, however important it may be."

"Im going to be honest I barely ever even consider the tribe part of my life. I was abandoned by several of your dragons and some are still hostile to me to this day. I respect you but don't tell me to put the ones who made me hermit out here ahead of myself just for you to drag them even closer to me. I won't cause any trouble but if anyone breaks into my home ill defend it just like any dragon would defend their den." He said sounding allmost tired from the situation.

The King was considerate of all. But there a few things he wouldn't tolerate. The EarthWing's last two sentences made Hapax and Hamnet stand and take a few--large--steps back. Baldirak brought his head to the Dragon's eye level. "Is that so? Perhaps you ought to consider going to the surface. But in the meantime, if you respect me as you say, you'll not tell me what I should and shouldn't ask of you. I cannot nor will not allow the personal decision of one EarthWing to affect the entire tribe. As for your home..." the King paused and raised his head, "..It will not be affected by the construction of the new city. But it will be part of it, I suspect more so than you would like. I doubt anyone would break a law just to bother you, but if you should have such trouble, it will be dealt with accordingly."

Azronical had expected this reaction from a mile away and was quick with his words. "Thats all I ask. Your out to protect your people and im out to keep my home safe. Im fine with these circumstances considering you have no intention on destroying my den. Iv'e spent my life masterworking each and every detail of it pouring my soul into the building. I't might sound insane to a dragon that isnt an artist but to destroy that would be the same as destroying me." He said backing down. During this whole time he had stayed calm and collective. The twinge of venom in his one sentance was the only hint of anger. He wasen't an unreasonable dragon and wasen't showing signs of hostility like a dragon ready to attack.

(Btw dw he will soften up hes just kind of panicked. He can be quite the nice dragon once calmed.)

Without being completely aware of it, Baldirak called on one of his abilities. His paws--even his bad one--was planted firmly on the ground and his claws gripped the earth. His pale eyes darkened to a deeper shade of blue as he continued to look at the EarthWing before him. Except, he didn't appear to be looking at him... and he wasn't. Baldirak's eyes were locked onto something only he could see. His vision was filled with glimpses of a life that was not his own. Fragments of days and nights long past went by in mere moments. The only thing that was clear, were quick visions of a particular event just told to the King. He could see the hermit EarthWing building his den. The picture was fleeting, but he could make out some of the detail, the effort and days put into it. And then it all stopped. The present, the tunnel Baldirak stood in was all he could see now. His eyes returned to their usual pale hue and his claws released the ground. Hapax and Hamnet, who had spent some much time with their King they had grown accustomed to the signs, recognized what had just happened and went to Baldirak. They leaned slightly against the slightly taller EarthWing and helped him to sit. Several minutes passed before the monarch spoke, as it seemed that his ability had drained him of energy. "...With what skill you possess, EarthWing, you would make a fine Architect."

It was strange to say the least for Azronical as he watched. Something was off about the king and Azronical couldn't quite feel comfortable about it. After a bit he relaxed seeing stuff return to somewhat normal. "Uhh but you haven't even seen my den. Are you okay you look a little exausted. Thanks for the compliment tho. Do you need somewhere to rest?"

(Everything ok?)

The King shook his head. "My ability lets me see what you have done, what you will do. Just fragments. But it can be effective at times. I will be fine after a few minutes."

"Okay well was worried about you for a second there. Is there anything I can do before you go? It's not often I get the chance to meet someone who gives me a chance to get my work somewhere seen by more then me.