Closed In Bloom

[Vicissitude]

Winter 50, year 125 of the third age​

Even in winter was Moonshadow Glen an elysian paradise of temperate atmosphere and blossoming beauty– Xie Chūntiān’s influence seeped into every mote of water, every speck of sand, every petal that floated upon the air’s gentle breezes. Still, it was a buzzing hub of activity as members of the Moonflower clan flit about their daily activities.

This, however, was no ordinary day for Kirin. The dryad, though certainly not young by mortal standards, was to undergo something of a rite of passage for her kin. She had been instructed to make her way to the gates of the Atrium before the great dragoness in order to offer her respects before undergoing a trial during which she’d prove her worthiness for the power of a Fiadhaich. The Atrium itself was Xie Chūntiān’s grand temple, woven into the great dragoness’ great trunk, though Kirin had been instructed to meet just at the outskirts thereof, in a large, open field– a sparring ground of sorts. Upon her arrival, she would be escorted by her fellow Dryadae– both her contemporaries and her superiors– to stand before Tsukihana Xie.

꧁══════════• ༺༉ { Notable NPCs } ༉༻•══════════꧂​

: Tsukihana Xie

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[Kirin]

A sense of nerve gnawed away in Kirin's stomach. It was an unfamiliar sensation, something she had not felt in hundreds of years. The dryad was confident and cool, and she maintained this, even as she bowed at the waist before Tsukihana Xie. The daughter of Xie Chuntian was not someone she was unfamiliar with. No, after a millenia of serving both the ancient dragon and her daughter, she was not afraid of them. But this rite of passage still brought an anxiety she had been long since rid of. Had her skill in Draoidh grown to warrant this? And now, in the war, where she hoped she could make any difference?

Kirin stayed bowed before Tsukihana until she was addressed, and she focused on relaxing the tense muscles in her arms and haunches so that she could appear relaxed as well. Any of her compatriots could tell she was a least a little nervous, but one slow, deep breath after another, she relaxed.

163

: Spell Reserves

3 Spell Reserves
None Used

 

[Vicissitude]

Winter 50, year 125 of the third age​

Though Tsukihana’s features were painted with elegance and austerity, her lips couldn’t resist the subtle curl of a smile at the sight of Kirin. Her eyes, too, narrowed just slightly in an affectionate accompaniment– the dryad’s presence was a welcome one, long and loyally had she served their clan.

“Kirin!” The woman exclaimed with an uncharacteristic excitement in her voice, a light in her eyes.

It was not every day she bore witness to the Ascension of another, much less of one held for somebody so dear to her.

“Rise, sister, for today is dedicated to ceremony in your honor– there is no need for fealty.”

With a sweeping gesture of her arm in the direction of another of her guards,

“...as is tradition, a duel has been arranged;

Win, and we’ll move to merriment within the temple, at the conclusion of which my
mother will raise you as one of her beloved Fiadhaich.

Lose? Well…surely, that won’t happen, will it? Else I wouldn’t’ve called you here before me,”​

she’d conclude with a grin.

Kirin would understand that upon her victory, Tsukihana meant that she’d be allowed to grow herself a pod nestled directly into the base of Xie Chūntiān– at that point, the great dragoness would confer unto her the raw Saol required to grant her the potency of an Ascendant. She would fall into a dreamstate, then awake anew up to a week later.

First, however, she would have to beat one of Tsukihana’s other guards in a duel. As the other woman stepped forward, Tsukihana herself lept back with a graceful burst of air. The guard appeared human, and Kirin would know that she specialized in their clan’s Sacred Art, Sakura Senpu. She was likely chosen for this purpose as opposed to another Dryad in order to avoid the mirror matchup of Draoidh whilst still posing a substantial threat. Both would understand that things like this were never intended to be duels to the death, though they'd also know that neither party would be punished if the other perished in the heat of it.

Once Tsukihana had safely landed out of the way, Kirin would be free to make the first move.

꧁══════════• ༺༉ { Notable NPCs } ༉༻•══════════꧂​

: Tsukihana Xie

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