2 ⇦ video

[vapidfloozy]

[From the moment the video turns on, it's clear that the subject of this broadcast doesn't realize he's being recorded. It's none other than Gerome, identified easily by the mask and haphazard spikes of hair. He's crouched over the bathtub in the bathroom, sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he works at rubbing a loofah over a small wyvern.

Scratching sounds come from the porcelain but Gerome pays it no mind, continuing to scrub down the flying lizard as he murmurs to her- almost unintelligible on the camera.]

Who's a good wyvern? It's Minervykins! You have to be nice and clean though- playing in the mud makes your beautiful scales all dark and dirty. [The lizard gives a little screech in happiness, lifting up one of her arm-wings so he can scrub underneath.]

[Then the feed wobbles for a second, moving closer bit by bit, and Inigo sticks his head in the frame, grinning.]

Now that looks like real friendship! Maybe our buddy Gerome here could learn how to show a little of that camaraderie to his other friends, huh? That scary mask covers a soft, squishy heart!

[At the noise, the wyvern rider turns and notices Inigo in the hallway. His expression behind the mask quickly changes- from surprised, to embarrassed, to... very, very angry.]

Why you- !

[And he stumbles up to race after the poor mercenary, intent on tackling him to the ground. The video feed goes akimbo and shuts off a moment later.]

Comments

[Video] (Going to bed but couldn't resist tagging before bed)

[izanyagi]

[No that is a true broship. Or at least Souji can appreciate the pranking.]

The masks hides a façade of determination to face various difficulties in life.

[One of the things he hadn't forgotten from his visits to the Velvet Room.]

[Video] :>

[wyverns]

[Someone is nowhere near so eloquent right now, while his face is flushed and he's currently prepared to punch Inigo silly.]

You saw nothing!

[Video]

[izanyagi]

[Aim for the chest, or elbow!]

I did.

[A small grin.]

Your secret is safe with me.

[Video]

[vapidfloozy]

[His hair is ruffled and he's a little scraped up, but otherwise Inigo seems unharmed when he switches the video back on.]

Hey, that's pretty deep!

[Video]

[izanyagi]

[Ahh nothing like a scuffle between friends to get the blood flowing.]

Something I was told, so I can't claim credit for it.

[Video]

[okamichild]

What's that? [ have curious eyes trying to look at the wyvern better]

[Video]

[vapidfloozy]

[He's only a little roughed up when he pops back up on the screen, grinning.]

It's a wyvern! Well, a miniature one. Her name's Minerva.

[Video]

[okamichild]

It reminds me of those western dragons.

Is she friendly?

[Video]

[wyverns]

-ah, Inigo has answered for me.

[A small amount of time later, Gerome is back on the feed with a sudsy wyvern on his shoulder. She gives a happy screech.]

She is normally larger than this, however. She would not be able to fit in these houses otherwise.

[Video]

[okamichild]

Oh - so she's from your world?

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[afrozendance]

[Sorry, she's a little distracted.]

... Wait, a wyvern? I had not seen one in so long...!

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[vapidfloozy]

[He's mostly unharmed when he reappears.]

Oh, you have wyverns where you're from? Minerva's smaller than normal, but I promise she really is one!

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[afrozendance]

[Good, but if he needs healing he can just ask.]

I believe you... even if she's much smaller than the wyverns I've seen in my travels, she certainly reminds me enough of them...

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[wyverns]

[And he's a little out of breath. Punching mercenaries will do that to you.]

Are you familiar with their kind?

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[afrozendance]

[Oh dear, she hopes this won't be the start to a huge fight!]

... I am. I used to travel through several different places, and one of the kingdoms in my land is famous for its military might. And one of its biggest strengths is said to be their wyvern riders...

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[necrowmantic]

Are you gonna ask Gerome to wash you next, Inigo?

[Laughing, because this is adorable. Mentally thanking Inigo for recording one of those soft moments that he knew existed.]

--Hi there Minerva! Wow, you're really shining there!

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[vapidfloozy]

I could use a bath, but I'd rather have a fair maiden scrubbing my back.

[He laughs. Inigo is... mostly unharmed, save for some scratches and bruises.]

She really is the prettiest wyvern around, isn't she?

video;

[necrowmantic]

Never seen a prettier one! Looks like you got her to scrub your back instead.

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[wyverns]

...she was playing in the mud.

[That's totally a legit excuse for wyvern bathtime okay.]

And I'm not- ! Some maid who goes around washing people!

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[necrowmantic]

Did Minerva do that in the future too? You'd need to find a lake to clean her off there!

[But he just grins more at the last.]

And I dunno about that, it looks like you'd be good at it! I wish I had scales that shiny. Or scales to begin with.

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[lookingfordragon]

It's cute but uh... what is it?

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[vapidfloozy]

It's a wyvern. Her name's Minerva.

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[lookingfordragon]

She kinda reminds me of dragon with wings.

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[wyverns]

Wyverns are steeds of war- giant lizards with two legs and two wings, a rarity where I come from.

[And Gerome glances toward Minerva, who might barely be two feet tall standing up straight.]

...she is normally far larger, but the gods cursed her upon arrival.

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[lookingfordragon]

They must be rare, I've never seen anything like her in a book... Unless they don't exist in my world.

[The closest resemblance to her would be the screamer hollows but that was only the wings.]

I'm surprised they didn't turn her into a human, with how this place normally works.