WHO: Dorian ( curled ), Cullen ( stubble ) + Shiro ( bayarm ) WHERE: Oros WHEN: Throughout the mission dates... WHAT:A good many dramatic situations began with screaming mission WARNINGS: Nothing crazy ; will update if that changes
( tba with more cohesive things once stuff gets rolling )
[ They've been on this world for a number of days now and so far they've been rather uneventful. It's been a lot of walking in brutally hot weather collecting various bits of dirt and flora. There hasn't been much in the way of fauna and of the people that call this place home, they've seen neither hide nor hair.
Still, Cullen has maintained patrols of the campsite and scouting of the terrain up ahead of the rest of the group. Simply because there's been no cause for alarm thus far doesn't mean he can let his guard down.
And it's good that he doesn't. Cullen's cresting a rise between some large rock formations when he spies movement in the sandy valley below. Slowing, he creeps forward and peers down. A large beast reminiscent of a high dragon—all golds and coppers, with great leathery wings and a long whip-like tail—is currently battling a trio of creatures that look somewhat like the phoenixes of Thedas. The creatures are losing. And the dragon is very big.
As quickly and quietly as possible, Cullen retreats and makes haste back to Dorian and Shiro. He doesn't waste words when he reaches them. ]
Dragon. Or something that looks like one. Past there. [ He points toward the rock formation not too terribly far away. ] Fighting large reptilian creatures. [ A beat and his tone darkens. ] They're losing. We ought to find another way before it hears us.
[ It has been mostly boring on this trip. They've gathered the samples that were put on the list and then some. Dorian finds no reason that he can't collect samples to grow in his quarters aboard the ship. There was nothing saying he couldn't, so why not? He's got to learn how to work with foreign sources for draughts and tonics sometime. Might as well take his opportunity while it's here.
Currently, he's sitting at the camp and labelling some of the samples and idly wondering if they should get a few more. ( To be quite honest, he's not positive what they got is even moss to begin with. It isn't as if there is an over abundance of moisture on this planet... ) Keeping busy at a camp isn't something new to him and it makes him feel oddly nostalgic for another time. Even more so with Cullen out patrolling. Blackwall and Cassandra used to do the same thing.
He's also familiar with the gait Cullen has on his return. Instantly, he's on alert. Something must be just beyond the ridges there. As quickly as he can, Dorian begins placing the samples into the bag resting at his feet. Whatever he was expecting, it certainly isn't what Cullen says upon his return. ]
Maker's arse.
[ He says it under his breath, almost, and it's followed rapidly by a string of Tevene that might sound nice but trust that it isn't. Dorian runs a hand over the curve of the helmet as he rises to his feet and begins pacing. Of all things. ]
You're positive it's a dragon?
[ He sounds a little hopeful that maybe Cullen was just mistaken. That maybe it's really not and everything is totally fine........ ]
[ One of the many things Cullen appreciates about Dorian being present on this unexpected and bizarre adventure is that he doesn't ask a bunch of pointless questions or waste time. He's already gathering their supplies by the time Cullen reaches the campsite, saving them some much needed time.
He can't speak Tevene. Even now, after striking up a friendship with a magister, his knowledge of the language is dismal. The tone Dorian uses, however, is clear, and Cullen spares a second to allow his lips to twitch in a tiny there and gone smile. Everybody in Skyhold likely knew Dorian's opinion on dragons. ]
Perhaps it's called by another name here, but it resembles a high dragon enough for me to be wary of engaging it unnecessarily. If we go—
[ His suggestion is cut off by a bellowing roar that echoes easily over the sand. A moment later, the shape of the great beast rises into the sky. Cullen scowls, already reaching for his sword. The creature's big, but he's had some experience with dragons in the past and he knows that Dorian has had plenty at the Inquisitor's side. He isn't afraid. Coolly, he says; ]
I suppose this means retreat is out of the question.
[ When there is a dragon around, there is no way Dorian is going to waste time. He knows what they're capable of. He's been battered by dozens across Thedas and back. He'd prefer to keep that behind him, but the path his life is on doesn't seem content to let that stand.
Bugger it.
Bugger it double when Dorian hears that familiar yet not screeching roar that trembles the very earth they stand on. Damn it to the Void and back seven times over. He has the fleeting and fruitless thought that perhaps they can escape it before it takes to the skies. Except, it gets the jump on them there and Dorian is snatching up the bag of samples and slinging it over his neck and shoulder with one hand and grabbing his staff with the other, all while throwing up a barrier around their little group—the snap of it audible and the tingling of protection covering from head to toe. At least he can still multi-task. ]
Somehow I doubt we'll be lucky and this beast calls on ice.
[ Because why would it in the middle of a desert?? Dorian grits his teeth as he watches it circle in the sky above, not making a move yet. Which he doesn't like one bit. ]
[ Having his shield right about now would make Cullen feel a lot better. His shield, some real armor, a helm with a proper visor. What he's wearing makes him feel naked and exposed in a way that might be fatal if it's not all just in his head. Squinting against the glare of the sun, he eyes the beast as it moves toward them. ]
Not a templar anymore. [ It's a terse, under his breath reminder that while once he might have been able to figure out what magic it could call upon, the lyrium has long since burned out of his blood. An elaboration comes a few seconds later as he tracks its flight. ] When it was attacking the other creatures, I saw no magic. Only teeth and claws.
[ But he knows that that doesn't necessarily mean the creature can't call upon other powers. ]
Stay alert and hold nothing back. The sooner it's dead or driven off, the greater our likelihood of survival.
[ Dorian's lips purse in a slightly annoyed scowl. Templar or not, Cullen has eyes and can observe things. Often dragons show their true extent by the area they keep or when facing a threat. That this one hasn't...
Well, it has Dorian a little worried, honestly.
This is really not how Dorian wanted to end this trip. Everything had been going well so far. They have so many samples collected and videos of the terrain... If anything gets lost because of this wretched beast, Dorian is going to be incredibly and outstandingly furious.
Maker, he does not want to do this. But, even he knows retreat at this point is futile. It shrieks high and loud and it vibrates Dorian's teeth. The next moment it's swooping down toward them, mouth open as something that looks like pitch spews forth and splashes the ground. The sand sizzles and pops, Dorian aims a ball of fire at it, only for it to catch on a stray bit of that pitch and it explodes near instantly and throws Dorian back several feet. If anyone were interested in learning colorful Tevene phrases, today would be the day for it.
He groans as he sits up, blinking to reorient himself as to where the dragon's gone off to, and eventually pushes back up to his feet. ]
Bit explosive, by the way, that pitch it's spitting out everywhere. Just in case you were wondering.
[ Cullen's seen a lot of dragons in his day. He's aware of the different elements they favor and what they can do with them. But in all his years as a templar and general of the Inquisition, he's never seen one spit pitch.
Exploding pitch. ]
Dorian!
[ He's already on the move, rushing to put himself between Dorian and the dragon. Now more than ever, he misses his shield. Still, he faces the dragon, sword at the ready, muscles tensed to strike should it come too close. The only thing that prevents him from physically checking on Dorian is that he can still hear him cursing.
And from the corner of his eye, he can see him getting to his feet.
[ cullen and dorian may have seen dragons before; shiro has never seen one in his life except in movies or on tv. they're fantastical beasts, to him, and while he's wrapped his mind around the fact that aliens are real easily enough out of sheer necessity, an actual dragon throws him off-balance when he spots the creature and his two team members fighting it by the time he comes back from where he'd still been collecting samples behind one of the sand dunes.
fortunately, instinct takes over, his galra arm lighting up to bright and glowing purple as he moves to cullen's side. dorian is getting to his feet again, so shiro doesn't stop to check on him, figuring that keeping the dragon from throwing more exploding whatever-that-was at dorian is all the help he needs
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dragon fighting
Still, Cullen has maintained patrols of the campsite and scouting of the terrain up ahead of the rest of the group. Simply because there's been no cause for alarm thus far doesn't mean he can let his guard down.
And it's good that he doesn't. Cullen's cresting a rise between some large rock formations when he spies movement in the sandy valley below. Slowing, he creeps forward and peers down. A large beast reminiscent of a high dragon—all golds and coppers, with great leathery wings and a long whip-like tail—is currently battling a trio of creatures that look somewhat like the phoenixes of Thedas. The creatures are losing. And the dragon is very big.
As quickly and quietly as possible, Cullen retreats and makes haste back to Dorian and Shiro. He doesn't waste words when he reaches them. ]
Dragon. Or something that looks like one. Past there. [ He points toward the rock formation not too terribly far away. ] Fighting large reptilian creatures. [ A beat and his tone darkens. ] They're losing. We ought to find another way before it hears us.
no subject
Currently, he's sitting at the camp and labelling some of the samples and idly wondering if they should get a few more. ( To be quite honest, he's not positive what they got is even moss to begin with. It isn't as if there is an over abundance of moisture on this planet... ) Keeping busy at a camp isn't something new to him and it makes him feel oddly nostalgic for another time. Even more so with Cullen out patrolling. Blackwall and Cassandra used to do the same thing.
He's also familiar with the gait Cullen has on his return. Instantly, he's on alert. Something must be just beyond the ridges there. As quickly as he can, Dorian begins placing the samples into the bag resting at his feet. Whatever he was expecting, it certainly isn't what Cullen says upon his return. ]
Maker's arse.
[ He says it under his breath, almost, and it's followed rapidly by a string of Tevene that might sound nice but trust that it isn't. Dorian runs a hand over the curve of the helmet as he rises to his feet and begins pacing. Of all things. ]
You're positive it's a dragon?
[ He sounds a little hopeful that maybe Cullen was just mistaken. That maybe it's really not and everything is totally fine........ ]
no subject
He can't speak Tevene. Even now, after striking up a friendship with a magister, his knowledge of the language is dismal. The tone Dorian uses, however, is clear, and Cullen spares a second to allow his lips to twitch in a tiny there and gone smile. Everybody in Skyhold likely knew Dorian's opinion on dragons. ]
Perhaps it's called by another name here, but it resembles a high dragon enough for me to be wary of engaging it unnecessarily. If we go—
[ His suggestion is cut off by a bellowing roar that echoes easily over the sand. A moment later, the shape of the great beast rises into the sky. Cullen scowls, already reaching for his sword. The creature's big, but he's had some experience with dragons in the past and he knows that Dorian has had plenty at the Inquisitor's side. He isn't afraid. Coolly, he says; ]
I suppose this means retreat is out of the question.
no subject
Bugger it.
Bugger it double when Dorian hears that familiar yet not screeching roar that trembles the very earth they stand on. Damn it to the Void and back seven times over. He has the fleeting and fruitless thought that perhaps they can escape it before it takes to the skies. Except, it gets the jump on them there and Dorian is snatching up the bag of samples and slinging it over his neck and shoulder with one hand and grabbing his staff with the other, all while throwing up a barrier around their little group—the snap of it audible and the tingling of protection covering from head to toe. At least he can still multi-task. ]
Somehow I doubt we'll be lucky and this beast calls on ice.
[ Because why would it in the middle of a desert?? Dorian grits his teeth as he watches it circle in the sky above, not making a move yet. Which he doesn't like one bit. ]
Do you know if it holds an element?
no subject
Not a templar anymore. [ It's a terse, under his breath reminder that while once he might have been able to figure out what magic it could call upon, the lyrium has long since burned out of his blood. An elaboration comes a few seconds later as he tracks its flight. ] When it was attacking the other creatures, I saw no magic. Only teeth and claws.
[ But he knows that that doesn't necessarily mean the creature can't call upon other powers. ]
Stay alert and hold nothing back. The sooner it's dead or driven off, the greater our likelihood of survival.
no subject
Well, it has Dorian a little worried, honestly.
This is really not how Dorian wanted to end this trip. Everything had been going well so far. They have so many samples collected and videos of the terrain... If anything gets lost because of this wretched beast, Dorian is going to be incredibly and outstandingly furious.
Maker, he does not want to do this. But, even he knows retreat at this point is futile. It shrieks high and loud and it vibrates Dorian's teeth. The next moment it's swooping down toward them, mouth open as something that looks like pitch spews forth and splashes the ground. The sand sizzles and pops, Dorian aims a ball of fire at it, only for it to catch on a stray bit of that pitch and it explodes near instantly and throws Dorian back several feet. If anyone were interested in learning colorful Tevene phrases, today would be the day for it.
He groans as he sits up, blinking to reorient himself as to where the dragon's gone off to, and eventually pushes back up to his feet. ]
Bit explosive, by the way, that pitch it's spitting out everywhere. Just in case you were wondering.
no subject
Exploding pitch. ]
Dorian!
[ He's already on the move, rushing to put himself between Dorian and the dragon. Now more than ever, he misses his shield. Still, he faces the dragon, sword at the ready, muscles tensed to strike should it come too close. The only thing that prevents him from physically checking on Dorian is that he can still hear him cursing.
And from the corner of his eye, he can see him getting to his feet.
Over his shoulder, Cullen calls out to him; ]
Are you injured?
no subject
fortunately, instinct takes over, his galra arm lighting up to bright and glowing purple as he moves to cullen's side. dorian is getting to his feet again, so shiro doesn't stop to check on him, figuring that keeping the dragon from throwing more exploding whatever-that-was at dorian is all the help he needs
and still, he has to ask: ] Is that a dragon?