Floating Key
unknowingly meeting grandpa!
Distraction is key. When he is not searching for his dragon or caring for his family, the Indomitable is exploring this new and utterly bizarre land that he now calls home. There's so many unmapped regions of the Rift that it seems a crying shame not to discover them, and despite the warlord's dark mood, he can't help but have his interest piqued by the idea of heading into uncharted territory. A forest on an oddly floating island is his next port of call, and Vadir flies enthusiastically above him as he prowls through the unfamiliar trees. The golden queen has seemed extra cheerful of late, a direct mirror image to her bonded's borderline depression. Now that she is his only dragon, she has flourished, even if he resents her for every ounce of happiness she ekes out of her red brother's absence. Not a day goes by when Volterra doesn't miss Vérzés, but the feeling does not seem to be mutual. Vadir makes a perfunctory attempt to find him, yet he senses from her that she doesn't really wish to have to share her precious onyx titan once again. She likes him belonging to her and her alone, and so she explores the Rift with gusto and a cheer that Volterra simply cannot feel. It is the familiar odour of Astarot that draws the mammoth's attention today, and he shifts his path towards his son with Vadir in his wake. Volterra has remained a pillar of strength for his family, never letting them see how much Isopia's death has affected him; he stays strong for them, and puts them first. It doesn't matter that he's not had time to grieve yet, or indeed even think about his lover's untimely demise, and it's only the more observant of his children that may notice how his false smiles never quite reach his eyes. To his surprise, Astarot is not alone. There's a filly with him, and the way he's talking to her....Volterra's brow furrows and he steps closer, moving from the shadows into the light to announce his presence. "Astarot," he rumbles, but his attention is mostly on the filly. She's very young, and she has wings - aside from those, though, she could be Astarot's double. Her resemblance to him, and the soft way he speaks to her, puts two and two together in the stallion's mind and he allows his lower jaw to droop slightly. It hadn't crossed his mind that his older children would soon start having foals of their own. The idea of being a grandfather at his age.... Vadir twists upside down, laughing heartily. "You old," she croons. Volterra frowns and pins his ears up at her, because he's a stallion in the prime of his life - his massive size, thick neck with crest and his bulging muscles are not marred by a single grey hair, although he has developed the smallest hint of a beard beneath his chin. He's far from old, but the idea that he's now a grandfather certainly makes him feel old. "And who is this?" He looks curiously at the filly whilst Vadir lands heavily on his back, eyeing her as well. She's had her own taste of parenthood recently, although Volterra doesn't know the details - it's made her more interested in his family, and her piercing crimson gaze bores into the youngster as her massive frame shifts lazily upon his withers. |
