lavender hung in the air like a sweet rain, sprigs crushed under talons and heavy muscles. the scent of a river had drawn the dragon in, seeking a place to rest their weary body, tired of the day's affairs. they had broken away from their land for the time being, traveling in hopes of finding someone to aid their family and them. bandits had taken over their land in the time that they had been away and sickly, thinking themself on their death bed at that time. now they were back, and they were risking being run out of their territory, and only had their daughter at their side and she was far too young to have to fight so hard to keep her home. a low growl erupted from the serpentine golden dragon, blind blue eyes sweeping over the grounds unseeing, traveling in an unknown land. coming after them was the scent of electricity sparkling through the air and ground, temper flaring. they were not pleased, and they were hurting.

the scent of the river had drawn them in, making them think that they might find some rest on a riverbank, to cool their feet and take a drink from, but they couldn't smell any sources of water now that they had closed in on the scent - instead they found a distinctly canine scent.

soft was the voice that reached their ears, the dragon bringing their head closer to the ground, scarred eyes sliding to half closed. a female wolf stood before them, her nervousness rolling off in a wave that reminded them of their children when caught doing something that they shouldn't. amusement rippled through them, "be at ease my dear. i might be big, but i am no threat to you. lost? i fear that is closer to the truth. i havent traveled this land before i lost my sight, i have very little clue of where i am. is there by any chance a river nearby?", they rumbled deep in their throat, breath puffing out over the grasses and dirt.

"i ask for the water for my injuries and for a drink, i dare not fly in this land without an understanding of it's layout. my name is lin bai, but please call me bai shi. what's your name my dear? oh, forgive me if this body is too big and flashy. i can take a smaller form if you would feel more at ease." they smiled as kindly as they could manage, pain written in their scent and expressions. wounds decorated their legs and jaws, made by smaller animals about the size of a cat towards a moose.

it was strange to feel relief that she would offer them such an aid, as much as it was a  irritant to their pride to need aid. they couldn't help the deep rumble in their throat, a soft croon escaping them before it could be held back. her name was a name that held a deeply important place in their heart, a name that their first mate had borne. taking a deep breath, they soothed the frantic knocking of their heart. this could not be their asteri, no.

had it been him .. they would have had their ears scolded from their head and then given the affection they had been denied since his death. "a rare and beautiful name. i apologize ... someone very, very dear to me once held that name as well. ah, my tongue is usually very sharp, ask any of my friends and enemies. gentle voices take you further than harsh ones." they would quietly murmur. "any amount of guidance would be wonderful." they respond, accepting her offer.

They were loathe to leave her side, if only because she was friendly, or if it was her name. They felt .... comforted by that fact.

listening to her words and movements they couldn't help the soft smile and rumble in place of a purr, "he would be happy to know another shared his name, if not younger than he." they chuckled softly, golden scales glowing in the sun's blissful light, warming them to their core. "he would have scolded my head from my neck by now. he was one man with a sharp tongue if i've ever heard one.", they shared in soft recalling of the fiesty male that had long ago caught their attention.

"the river is best to appease before she leaves her banks", they smiled, ears hidden by their antlers flicking when she moved her paws, waiting to let her lead. the heat even here was intense, they moved to her side that was closest to the sun, offering their shadow wordlessly as a cool reprieve from the heat. the sun had slowly begun it's descent towards the loving arms of the horizon, painting the sky in beautiful intricate colors, entwined so peacefully, occassionally patterned with myriad mosaics of wispy clouds.

following quietly behind and beside her, they wandered peacefully aside from the soft exhales of sharp air, pain lancing whenever their steps were off center, the wounds decorating their legs aching although treated and cauterized. there would be no infection there but the herbs had worn away some time before, left with angry swelling around the injuries. hearing the sound of the river and its scent flowing over their nose, they rumbled in relief.

hearing her speak of her family, their gaze softened, "why did you stop if you dont mind this old dragon's curiosity? oh. this is delightful" they huffed as they followed the sound of the river the short distance, great talons sinking into the mud before their feet sank in, leaving four toe imprints. the cold water lapping over their burning hot scales gave such a feeling that they could not forget, or compare it to. the chill soothed the heat seeping from the angry wounds, their tail drifting in soft slow sie to side movements, bending their head to lap from the cold water.